GoFundMe page created for midstate Marine’s family
– U.S. Marines walk on the beach at Waimea Bay near Haleiwa, Hawaii, where two military helicopters crashed into the ocean about 2 miles offshore, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. The helicopters carrying 12 crew members collided off the Hawaiian island of Oahu during a nighttime training mission, and rescuers are searching a debris field in choppy waters Friday, military officials said. (Mariana Keller via AP Photo)
(Undated) — A GoFundMe page created for the family of a Marine native to Cumberland County has raised more than $13,000 since Monday.
Sergeant Adam C. Schoeller, 25, of Gardners, Adams County, is one of 12 Marines who went missing after two helicopters crashed off Hawaii last Thursday.
Heather Walters Eickhoff, a cousin of Schoeller’s mother, Laurie, said she created the fundraising page titled “Adam Schoeller Family Fund” as a way to honor Schoeller and his service.
Donations will be used to reimburse the Semper Fi Fund, which paid for the family to travel to Hawaii, Eickhoff posted on the page.
Excess donations will be used to cover any other expenses for the family.
As of 2:00 p.m. today, donors contributed $13,245, exceeding the page’s $5,000 goal.
Eickhoff declined to be interviewed.
The Coast Guard suspended the search for the Marines on Wednesday.
“Adam is loved dearly by not only his family, but by the members of the community and all who had the joy of knowing him,” Eickhoff posted on the GoFundMe page.
“Adam wanted to be a Marine,” Eickhoff wrote. “He exemplified honor. He lived a life of courage and integrity. He loved his family more than anything. Thank you for honoring his service and his sacrifice.”
The search for survivors was called off Tuesday afternoon after nearly five days of round-the-clock searching involving multiple agencies.
It began late Thursday when a civilian on a beach reported seeing the helicopters flying and then a fireball.
The Marines were alerted when the helicopters carrying six crew members each failed to return to their base following a nighttime training mission.
Hours later, the Coast Guard spotted debris 2.5 miles off of Oahu.
All four life rafts that were aboard the helicopters were later found empty.
The Coast Guard initially reported that the choppers had collided, but the Marines said later it’s not yet known if there was a collision.
Relatives of a Marine from Chester County who was aboard one of two helicopters say they are “devastated by this tragic accident” and continue to pray for Captain Brian Kennedy and his fellow Marines.
Governor Tom Wolf has ordered all U.S. and Pennsylvania flags at the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities throughout the state lowered to half-staff effective immediately for the missing Marines.
“Frances and I join with all Pennsylvanians in sending our thoughts and prayers to Capt. Kenney and Sgt. Schoeller’s families, friends, and fellow Marines,” Wolf said in a statemenet. “Brian and Adam have served our country with distinction and honor and their brave service will not be forgotten.”
Flags shall remain at half-staff until sunset on Friday, January 22.
*This story was updated to include information about the lowering of state flags*
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