The Airlift Penny Project is a remembrance initiative honoring the men and women who served during the Berlin Airlift.
When we visit the resting place of an Airlift veteran, we pause to say thank you, learn what we can about their life and service, and, when appropriate, leave a penny from 1948 or 1949 in their honor.
In the veteran grave tradition, a penny means someone visited. For the Berlin Airlift generation, the years 1948 and 1949 carry special meaning. During those months, pilots, mechanics, radio operators, weather teams, ground crews, nurses, logistics personnel, and many others came together to keep a city alive.
The Airlift Penny Project is a small gesture with a larger purpose: to remember the person behind the name.
Each visit becomes an opportunity to preserve a story. Whenever possible, we share the veteran’s name, cemetery, service details, photographs, documents, family memories, or links to existing stories so their role in this extraordinary humanitarian mission is not forgotten.
If you know of a Berlin Airlift veteran buried in your community, or if your family has photographs, letters, journals, documents, or memories connected to the Airlift, we would be honored to hear from you.
One penny. One visit. One more story remembered.
How to Participate
When appropriate and in accordance with cemetery rules, visitors may leave a penny from 1948 or 1949 as a small sign that someone came to say thank you.
In the veteran grave tradition, a penny means someone visited. For the Airlift generation, the years 1948 and 1949 carry special meaning.
You are invited to share:
the Veteran’s name
the cemetery and location
a respectful photo of the grave or marker
any known service details
family stories, documents, letters, journals, or photographs
a few words about your visit
Each submission helps preserve one more story connected to the Berlin Airlift and honors the men and women who helped keep Berlin alive.
All visits should be conducted respectfully, without disturbing the gravesite, and in keeping with the cemetery’s rules.
