Radio stations honor day of mourning

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Several local radio stations will be observing Gov. Bob McDonnell's "Day of Mourning" Friday in honor of the 30 service members who were killed when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

At noon, 2WD, 94.9 the Point, 95-7 R&B and Z104 will pause regular programming and will play a special rendition of "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles, a news release from Entercom Communications said.

Immediately following the song, the stations will sound a bell toll in recognition and gratitude for each of the 22 Navy SEALs, five soldiers, and three airmen who were killed in the August 6 crash.

"By honoring these brave Americans, we honor their lives and their families. We look for the entire Hampton Roads area to join us and take a moment to remember and give thanks for the beautiful freedom our fallen Navy SEALs have protected unconditionally," said Bennett Zier, Entercom Norfolk's Vice President and Market Manager.

Local disc jockeys with Entercom Communications also showed support on Monday with a charity event to help the families of the fallen servicemen.

Residents in the area also paid their respects on the day of mourning.

Kids in the Sandbridge section of VIrginia Beach set up a lemonade stand on Sandpiper Road to raise money for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

They raise over $2,000 today much of it coming from neighbor Jeff Marley, who didn't even ask for a sip of lemonade.

"This was kind of a low key way of saying thank you to the SEAL community and at the same time it's a good way to encourage these kids to take and be responsible and be part of the community," said Marley.

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