12 year anniversary of the USS Cole bombing
Today marks the 12th anniversary of the bombing perpetrated against the USS Cole while it was refueling in the port of Aden by al Qaeda. Seventeen American sailors were killed, and 39 were injured when two al Qaeda terrorists rammed their explosives-ladened boat into the side of the USS Cole.
ROS sends a link to an article about the families of the casualties;
The Families of those who lost their lives will spend the day remembering their loved ones.
There are plans for a wreath laying ceremony in Arlington, followed by a service at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington.
Still, it’s hard to move forward, while dealing with the long and drawn out trials of the terrorists accused of masterminding the Cole attack.
Mona and Lou Gunn are the parents of Cherone Gunn, one of the victims of the USS Cole attack who grew up in Hampton Roads.
Lou will be traveling to Guantanamo Bay on behalf of the Cole families in two weeks, for yet another hearing on the case against Abd-al Rahim al-Nashiri.
Our buddy, Aunty Brat, at Assoluta Tranquilita, remembers the fallen.
Category: Terror War
Rest in peace, brothers in arms. Rest in peace.
Amen Hondo
It was a early morning and we had just commenced Class 94 of the Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) in Newport, RI. The director came into the auditorium and ordered us all back to our rooms and told us to tune to CNN.
The Command Master of the USS Cole had just let SEA either from the last or previous class.
Our Class SEA 94 dedicated our studies to the USS Cole and the lost Sailors. They were Officers, Chiefs, and young Sailors. The youngest was a female Sailor from CA. Raised in a poor neighborhood she joined the Navy to improve her life.
It saddens me to no end thinking about this day and what Ambassodor Bodine did to facilitate it and what she did to the FBI when they tried to investigate it.
What we saw in Egypt is directly comparable to what happended in Yemen in 2000. We never should have been refueling there. But Bodine thought it was a good idea contrary to all other indications and advice.
We tend to forget. The most dangerous enemies we have reside in Yemen (AQAP).
Related note: Rick West was in Class 94, he went on to be MCPON after being voted “Most Likely to be MCPON”. I was one of a handful of Honor Grads and was voted just “Most Likely”.
I wish we could just blow a *huge* hold in the side of their COUNTRY
I lowered the flag in front of the building to half-staff to honor those fallen…and to remind those who have forgotten.
Has it been that long?
Is this whole time period going to be recorded as another 100 Years’ War?
Former commanding officer of the USS Cole CDR (ret.) Kirk Lippold is an occasional guest on cable news shows focused on terrorism topics. I remember CDR Lippold in a Military Times article a few years ago where his promotion to Captain was placed on hold by the Senate for several years – Navy eventually gave up and removed his name from promotion list. From what I understand he helped draft the detainee policies after 911 & is a fierce critic of Gitmo detainee release. He was considering a run against Sen Hairy Reid for his Senate seat a couple yrs ago.
Precious irreplaceable lives taken by scum. They were too young. May they rest in peace and may their families be comforted by their memories.