Honoring fallen pilots killed in a tragic crash three years ago

LEMOORE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Three years ago the Naval Air Station Lemoore lost two of their own in a tragic fighter jet crash. Lieutenant Matthew Lowe and Lieutenant Nathan Williams were killed during a routine training flight.

Lt. Commander Erik Kenny said, "Lieutenant Matthew Lowe was one of my closest friends."

Feeling the memory of his fellow pilot and friend fading -- Lieutenant Commander Erik Kenny and Lieutenant Commander Ben Charles began looking for ways to build a memorial that could also serve to honor fallen pilots from the past.

Lt. Commander Ben Charles said, "In Vietnam we lost more navy pilots than any other base in the country, so this memorial is for everyone that went before us."

"The thought of there not being a memorial here shocked us as we learned that," said Lt. Commander Erik Kenny. "So we said it's just another reason on top of Matt, the loss of Matt and Nate these gentlemen, they deserve a memorial to remember those guys."

The memorial will be built about 1 mile southeast of where the crash happened back in 2011.

Lt. Commander Ben Charles said, "The main part of the memorial is going to be a 7 foot tall bronze statue of a naval aviator looking out towards the runway."

The project even inspired seven-year-old Drew Rhoads. He says after seeing his coach on TV asking for donations he emptied his piggy bank and donated $9. And for his most recent birthday he asked for donations instead of presents, collecting more than $280.

Rhoads said, "I wanna help him because he always helps me in baseball."

Organizers are hoping for an official unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony in October 2014.