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ITTA BENA, Miss.–One year ago Navy Corpsman Ryan Lohrey, of Middletown, Indiana, was killed when a Marine transport plane crashed near Itta Bena, Miss. This weekend, he was remembered along with the 15 other people who died in the crash.

A memorial was unveiled on the campus of Mississippi Valley State University, near where the crash happened. Marines from Washington, D.C., were there to salute the 15 Marines and one Navy Corpsman (Lohrey), who died when the plane crashed while refueling.

Lohrey graduated from Shenandoah High School in 2005, where he was a member of his school’s football team that went 12-0 before losing to Cardinal Ritter in the regional finals his senior year. 

The flight originated from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and the squadron was helping to transport personnel and equipment from there to Naval Air Field El Centro in California, the Marine Corps Forces Reserve said in a news release. 

“Equipment on board included various small arms ammunition and personal weapons. An explosive ordnance disposal team is at the scene as a precaution in the interest of safety,” said the release.

“This ceremony is a therapeutic way of dealing with this tragedy,” said Marine Brigadier Gen. Brad James. “They gave their ultimate for our freedoms.”

James said the marker is a place where all who were affected can come together to honor the people killed and contemplate their sacrifice.

PHOTO: RTV6