Senate · S 1876 · 119th Congress
Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act
Summary
This bill lets the Forest Service move a memorial honoring nine Air Force crew members killed in a 1982 plane crash to a rest area on the Cherohala Skyway in North Carolina. The private landowner must agree to the move. No federal money can pay for the relocation or upkeep.
In Favor
Moving the memorial to a public rest area on the Cherohala Skyway gives anyone the ability to visit and honor the nine fallen crew members at any time. Right now, the memorial sits on private land with limited access. A dedicated stop at mile marker 2 means veterans, families, and travelers can pay their respects without restriction.
Against
The people requesting the move must pay all costs themselves, including government paperwork and environmental review fees. This could be a financial burden for families or small groups behind the effort. If costs become too high, the memorial may simply stay on private land with limited public access.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill lets the Forest Service move a memorial in North Carolina honoring nine Air Force crew members who died in a 1982 plane crash. The memorial would move from private land to a public rest area on the Cherohala Skyway.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill stays focused on relocating one specific memorial to one specific site in Graham County, North Carolina. All provisions relate directly to that relocation.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
The bill helps family members and the public by placing the memorial on accessible public land. The individual or group requesting the move must pay all costs, and the private landowner must agree before anything happens.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill states that no federal funds may be used to move, install, or maintain the memorial. The requesting party covers all costs, including application processing, environmental review, and installation.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The move requires agreement from the private landowner, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and possibly the Federal Highway Administration. If any of these parties do not approve, the relocation cannot proceed.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 8/2/2026