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October 12, 2006
In Memory of the USS Cole
United States Navy's Personnel
Who lost their lives
on the USS Cole (DDG 67)
12 October 2000
On Thursday, October 12, 2000, 17 of our Nation's finest were killed in a terrorist attack on the USS Cole, docked in the port of Yemen to take on fuel.
We must never forget these brave young men and women, they gave us their all.
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Cherone Louis Gunn Signalman Seaman Recruit Rex, Ga. |
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James Rodrick McDaniels Seaman Norfolk, Va. |
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Timothy Lamont Saunders Operations Specialist 2nd class Ringgold, Va. |
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Lakiba Nicole Palmer Seaman Recruit San Diego, Ca. |
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Richard Costelow Chief Electronics Technician Morrisville, Pa. |
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Andrew Triplett Ensign Macon, Miss. |
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Craig Bryan Wibberley Seaman Apprentice Williamsport, Md. |
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Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr. Fireman Rockport, Texas |
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Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd class Mechanicsville, Va. |
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Lakeina Monique Francis Seaman Mess Management Spec. Woodleaf, N.C. |
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Timothy Lee Gauna Seaman Information Systems Technician Rice, Texas |
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Marc Ian Nieto Engineman 2nd Class Fond du Lac, Wis. |
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Ronald Scott Owens Electronics Warfare Technician 3rd Class Vero Beach, Fla. |
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Joshua Langdon Parlett, Engineman Fireman Churchville, Md. |
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Patrick Howard Roy Fireman Apprentice Keedysville, Md. |
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Kevin Shawn Rux Elect. Warfare Tech 1st Class Portland, N.D. |
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Ronchester Mananga Santiago Mess Management Specialist 3rd Class Kingsville, Texas |
"Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidst the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea."
Amen
The bombing of the USS Cole was a deliberate act of war by al-Qaeda, and it went ignored and unavenged by the Clinton Administration. I'm sure he pointed his finger as he said "If, as it now appears, this was an act of terrorism, it was a despicable and cowardly act. We will find out who was responsible and hold them accountable." Except he did nothing.
On November 3, 2002, under the Bush Administration, the CIA fired a AGM-114 Hellfire missile from a Predator UAV at a vehicle carrying Abu Ali al-Harithi, a suspected planner of the bombing plot. Also in the vehicle was Ahmed Hijazi, a U.S. citizen. Both were killed. This operation was carried out on Yemeni soil.
On September 29, 2004, a Yemeni judge sentenced Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri and Jamal al-Badawi to death for their roles in the bombing. Al-Nashiri, believed to be the operation's mastermind, is currently being held by the U.S. at an undisclosed location. Al-Badawi, in Yemeni custody, denounced the verdict as "an American one." Four others were sentenced to prison terms of five to 10 years for their involvement, including one Yemeni who had videotaped the attack.
On February 3, 2006, 23 suspected or convicted Al-Qaeda members escaped from jail in Yemen. This number included 13 who were convicted of the USS Cole bombings and the bombing of the French tanker Limburg in 2002. Among those who reportedly escaped was Al-Badawi. For more on this, please read this article on the escape by Jane Novak, of Armies of Liberation.
And Clinton is still pointing his finger.
Posted by LindaSoG at October 12, 2006 05:01 AM
Comments
Beautiful tribute and your analysis is right on target.
Posted by: beth at October 12, 2006 04:25 PM
I was on the pier when Clinton spoke those words. I knew then he was lying.
Posted by: MCPO Airdale at October 12, 2006 06:46 PM
Thank you Beth, and G-d Bless you MCPO, you were right.
Posted by: LindaSoG at October 12, 2006 08:28 PM
Really well done, Linda. Thanks for putting in their pictures too--it reminds people that they're not just a number.
It's unreal that thirteen of the murderers are running free, probably under protection of one of the rogue governments over there. Disgusting.
Posted by: Beth at October 12, 2006 09:43 PM
This is such an awesome tribute, thank you Linda. Yes Clinton is still pointing his finger, someone please hand that fool a mirror.
Posted by: Jack at October 14, 2006 03:32 AM