Eight Years Ago Today

…another chapter in the Long War against terror is written:

The toll:
* Seventeen American Sailors dead:
Hull Maintenance Technician Second Class Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, 21, of Mechanicsville, Va.
Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, 35, of Morrisville, Pa.
Mess Management Specialist Seaman Lakeina Monique Francis, 19, of Woodleaf, N.C.
Information Systems Technician Timothy Lee Gauna, 21, of Rice, Texas
Signalman Seaman Cherone Louis Gunn, 22, of Rex, Ga
Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, 19, of Norfolk, Va.
Engineman Second Class Marc Ian Nieto, 24, of Fond du Lac, Wis.
Electronics Warfare Technician Second Class Ronald Scott Owens, 24, of Vero Beach, Fla
Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22, of San Diego, Calif.
Engineman Fireman Joshua Langdon Parlett, 19, of Churchville, Md
Fireman Patrick Howard Roy, 19, of Cornwall on Hudson, N.Y.
Electronics Warfare Technician First Class Kevin Shawn Rux, 30, of Portland, N.D.
Mess Management Specialist Third Class Ronchester Manangan Santiago, 22, Kingsville, Texas
Operations Specialist Second Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, 32, of Ringgold, Va.
Fireman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., 26, Rockport, Texas
Ltjg Andrew Triplett, 31, of Macon, Miss
Seaman Craig Bryan Wibberley, 19, of Williamsport, Md
* Thirty-nine wounded…

* A ship grievously injured…

Yet with skill and verve, the crew saved their ship

She would be resurrected:

Repaired:

and returned to the Fleet to re-enter the fight:

Godspeed the USS Cole and her crew … and may we never forget…
Others Remember:

  – Information Dissemination

  – OP-For