MOSES LAKE - The Forgotten Heroes memorial group continues to raise money to erect a special tribute at Grant County International Airport.

The volunteer group aims to collect another $5,000 to $10,000 for the roughly $25,000 memorial.

They want to honor the 87 fallen airmen from a C-124A Globemaster crash.

It happened at the Larson Air Force Base, near Moses Lake, on Dec. 20, 1952.

The group's goal is to hold the memorial dedication on 1 p.m., June 9, at the airport. This year is the 60th anniversary of the crash.

They are having a dinner, dance and live and silent auction, dubbed "A Night to Remember: 87 Forgotten Heroes,'" the same day.

The dinner is to raise money for the memorial's upkeep once it is installed, explained group member Joann Hosszu.

It starts at 4 p.m., at Big Bend Community College's ATEC Center, at 7611 Bolling St. NE, Moses Lake.

The event has a 1950s-1960s theme and features the band "Cruise Control."

Tickets cost $50 per person and are available at the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce starting next week. The chamber can be reached at 509-765-7888.

Hosszu estimates the group is about one week ahead of schedule with its work.

"We're just really lucky the park has been donated by the port," said another group member, Jeniel Cramer. "Everything is just falling into place. Everyone is interested in this."

Hosszu points out that most people she meets have heard about the memorial either through the media or from friends.

Group members have given presentations about their efforts to various service groups, with plans to keep presenting to other groups this spring.

Group members Mike Bellgardt and Steve Creviston spoke to a historical society in Ephrata, resulting in people calling for more information about the memorial.

The group is selling brick pavers to line the area of the memorial.

The pavers can feature someone's name or family and can be added up to the day of the June 9 dedication event.

The group meets every Friday to work on the project, Cramer said.

"We don't miss a week now," she said. "There is pride in what we're doing here. Honoring these men should have been done years ago."

Ron Baker, another group member, said he enjoyed working with the group.

"I think it's wonderful to promote something that's been ignored for so many years," he commented.

He thinks they'll raise enough money for the memorial, as they've already received business and individual donations.

For people not aware of the project, he thinks they respond positively to it once they are made aware.

"The people I talk to, all think it's a good idea," Baker aid. "I'm sure once the information gets out there, there will be support."

In June, Baker wants to see the community turn out for the dedication to show support for past and present servicemen.

For more information email jlee87memorial@wildblue.net or find the Forgotten Heroes Memorial page on Facebook.