The smell of jet fuel and the deafening sound of a section of EA-6B Prowlers breaking overhead can overwhelm one’s senses when driving onto NAS Whidbey Island for the first time.

As you survey the buildings and grassy areas, one thing that will undoubtedly catch your eye is the Prowler Memorial, located next to the gym and across from Hangar 5. Recently, the VAQ-137 Rooks were given the honor of renovating the Prowler at the memorial because the Rooks were 2004 Prowler Maintenance Squadron of the Year.

Renovations included repainting the aircraft and putting the Rook logo on the tail section with the black and white colors of the squadron.

The job was completed on July 7.

“This is a great honor, and I am very pleased that many of our younger Rooks were able to take part in something as special as the Prowler Memorial,” said Rooks’ Commanding Officer, Commander Kevin Meenaghan.

The memorial means something to everyone who passes by it. Engraved into the blue pearl granite are the names of 47 aircrew and four maintenance personnel, reminders that freedom is not free.

“The Prowler Memorial is a great tribute and honor for those who came before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Lt. John Tutwiler of VAQ-137.  While the memorial holds different meanings for different people, the memorial may never have been erected if not for the vision of Capt. Tom Payne, USN, and his wife Leslie.

Payne was a lieutenant commander when a friend who was close to his family was killed in a 1996 EA-6B mishap. Payne, a former VAQ-130 commanding officer, looked for a way to honor not only his friend, but all who had been killed in a Prowler mishap.

On Aug. 28, 1998, the Prowler Memorial was dedicated to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and their families. While the Paynes and retired Navy Capt. Tom Ford provided the vision, the Navy provided the land at NAS Whidbey Island, the EA-6B static display (which is a first production line EA-6B), and the design and cost estimates for the project. Local contractor, Krieg Construction, handled the construction.

The project was completed a few years later, when the three bronze statues were delivered from renowned sculptor Michael Maiden of Sandy, Ore., and dedicated on May 15, 2001.

Ford, president of the Prowler Memorial Park Fund, had personal ties to many of the mishaps and has been in the community from its inception.

“I have spent 35 years of my life as a member of the EA-6B community, both in uniform and as a civilian,” Ford stated. “Many of the folks that we have honored on the Memorial wall were friends, students or persons who have worked for me during my Navy career. I know many of the family members personally, as well.”

The park was built to serve three basic purposes.  First, it would serve as a place to honor those aircrew and maintenance personnel who lost their lives due to a tragic mishap. Secondly, it would provide a place where family members could reflect on the lives of those who have fallen. Last, it provides a place to celebrate the Prowler itself and those who proudly serve our great country within the Prowler community.

While many emotions and feelings were put into the making of the memorial, many of those same feelings reside even today. As the Sailors of VAQ-137 painted the memorial, many of them talked about what it meant to them.  Many felt pride and honor for being able to paint the memorial for the community.

AM3 Darin Reynolds noted, “This is something I will always remember.”

AEAN Matthew Grannan said, “It made me proud to be in the Navy.”

Others from VAQ-137 who worked on the project were AMAN Daniel Roloff, AMAN Preston Wages, AD2 Regerio Mascorrocruz and AM1 Scott Fitzgerald.

Prowler Memorial Park looks fresh once again, just as it did on that sunny August day in 1998 when it was dedicated. Through the vision and leadership of Ford and Payne, we will always be able to go there and remember the fallen heroes and the sacrifices they made.

In his closing remarks made seven years ago, Ford summed up the vision that is the Prowler Memorial Park, for the families and the entire community.

“Prowler Memorial Park is a visible, daily reminder of our shipmates’ sacrifices and a tribute to their service,” Ford said. “It will hopefully continue to make us more vigilant and professional as we carry out our duties and responsibilities in the future.”