NAS Lemoore memorial commemorates fallen pilots

LEMOORE, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new memorial is now in place to Navy pilots killed in the line of duty.

The Aviator Memorial Association hosted an unveiling ceremony near Naval Air Station Lemoore on Saturday. The site features a 7-foot-tall bronze statue of a pilot in full uniform.

Two nearby benches are dedicated to Lt. Matthew Lowe and Lt. Nathan Williams. They were killed during a training exercise on the base in 2011.

Their friends spearheaded the fundraising campaign to build this place of remembrance.

"Between the support of the Navy family and the local community, we were able to put this together," said Lt. Cmdr. Erick Kenny. "We can't say thank you enough to everyone that's helped make this dream become a reality."

Kenny says the loss of his friends inspired the memorial, but it stands as a tribute to all fallen NAS Lemoore pilots.

Saturday's ceremony also included a flyover.