SEA LEVEL, N.C. (WNCT) – February 13 marked two years since the Down East plane crash that took the lives of the eight people on board, including four East Carteret High School students.
The group was returning to Beaufort airport from a duck hunting trip in Hyde County. Now, a memorial dedicated to Jonathan “Kole” McInnis, Jake Taylor, Noah Styron, Michael “Daily” Shepherd, Hunter Parks and Stephanie Fulcher stands off Highway 70. It’s just one of the many ways the community remembers their lives.
It started as just bows throughout the town when the tragedy first happened.
“You see blue ribbons put up all over the county and still to this day,” said Jennifer Stinnett, aunt and friend of the victims. “When one falls down, they go and replace it.”
Then it turned to naming creeks after them six months later.
“We decided that was a good special way to memorialize them, being all of them love to go over to the banks. So that’s kind of why we decided to name the creeks after them. I thought it was very special and I’m glad we got to be able to do that,” said Stinnett.
On February 11, the new memorial was unveiled, all put together from the outpouring of community support.
“All the people of Down East, they actually came together and got a bunch of donations, contributions, and it cost quite a bit of money,” added Stinnett. “They got the land donated, it was nice, and this is a beautiful thing to remember our family and friends.”
Area schools also began honoring Young Waterfowler’s Day on the anniversary, wearing camouflaged clothes in their memory. The community also gained a new tradition, the first-ever pheasant hunt on February 17, which will provide $2,000 scholarships to youth in the community.
“They loved hunting and they were all bonded by duck hunting,” she said. “They would love to have been here to do this, so I think they would love it.”
Stinnett said their names will always be remembered, as the community will forever be Down East strong.
“We all miss them and that’s a good way to honor them. I think all the things that community has done for our families and friends has been the support that we’ve needed to get through this,” she said.
The families hope to continue the pheasant hunt each year, to give back to four East Carteret High School students in memory of the four Down East boys. The scholarship opens up to applicants on March 1, for those interested.
The families would like to give a special thanks to all the people who have helped with the 1st Annual Pheasant Hunt including, Kathryn Chadwick, ECHS Principal Jay Westbrook, Tabby Nance, Alison Stryuk and Trey Rivenbark.
