Remembering the fallen

[pickel]

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Da...ial001018.html
I urge all to read this article but most of all veiw the video of one of the survivors wives. Our military is alive and well and the BEST of the Best. Esspecially the United States Navy( slightly predjudiced opinion)

the pickel

[socalgal]

Thanks, pickel.

May the ultimate sacrifice our heroes gave for us and our country not be forgotten. May they rest in peace.

[barry glisson]

Some times I just can't say anything.

[Richard_Cranium72]

ditto

[embalmerd]

Salute.

[Warthog]

Man...when I saw a father (I assume) crying at the Cole memorial service, I thought, they better catch those *expletive* terrorists and send them back to Allah or whatever name you'd like to give Satan...

Warthog

[Thud]

Thanks, pickel.

[welsh wizard]

No words are needed, for those who serve to protect those who are unable to, all owe a dept.
WW

[pickel]

Hey Thud: Welcome to Sysopt's. Even Air Force dudes might pick up on something here..J/K
WW: Where you been???? Hadn't seen ya in a while!!Gona watch the World Series??? My hometown boys are going to go at it tonight, or a you a Cricket fan???LMOL Hope you doing OK!!!! Later

[welsh wizard]

Hi Pickle,

Who's got time for cricket or the world series, now into the start of summer down here and the silly season hasn't stopped yet, man I need the summer quiet peroid to get some rest, these 20 hr days are killing me

cheers will e-mail you soon.

WW

[socalgal]

Hi Welsh - good to see you! Don't be such a stranger, y'hear?

Pickel - 20 hour days? Even I don't do that!

Welcome to SysOpt, Thud.

[Toadman]

> > Subject: FW: News from the USS COLE
> >
> > Recieved this from ****** aboard the USS Anchorage assisting the USS Cole, thought you may be interested.
----------
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2000 1:31 AM

To ******, Your friend said it all. We too are on station and I will be going over there in the morning to provide a lunch. I wanted to grill steak for them on their deck, but there is still too much oil and fuel, not to mention every square foot of deck is now their living space, to set
up a grill. Their requests have been simple, hot food, cold drinks and
dry coveralls and boots. The ships here are all taking turns doing their laundry and cooking their meals. The Cole’s crew has been offered repeatedly to take R&R on another ship but most have refused. They
refuse to leave their ship. The details of their shipmates having to be cut from the bulkheads and descriptions and photos of the description have filtered to our ship. It is amazing that more were not killed. It is
equally amazing that it is still afloat. The keel is ripped apart and at present cannot even be towed to open water to be placed on a dry-dock vessel. The #1 engine room is flooded solid, as is AUX 1. The Messdecks deck is now pressed against the overhead. The entire galley was pushed
to the starboard side and the equipment is unrecognizable. This is where many crew members died. The ship was very nearly lost. They are truly heroes. We all have a lot to do to save this vessel but the crew of the Cole has endured the brunt of it so far. I have vowed myself and my department to offer any comfort, large or small that we are capable of providing, to the Cole. None of my guys have once complained and all
have volunteered to help in any way.
The Cole’s Suppo was injured and flown home. The disbo is now running things. I will assess his needs when I go over. The Suppo on the Hawes has been controlling the efforts but now that the Tarawa is on
station they seem to be taking the rains, but I think I can at least provide him some insight. Let there be no doubt that this is a hostile land. It took days before we were even allowed to enter territorial waters and still we are heavily restricted in flights and must maintain a constant vigil against additional hostile actions. The Yemen government is still not being very helpful and we are trying to place all personnel
onboard the ships that are currently staying at the two hotels in town. The Cole’s crew remains emotionally and physically drained I’m told. So, since you have experienced Navy life, try relay to those back home the
sacrifices we make, hardships we endure, and the dangers we face in an effort to keep those Stars and Stripes flying high over a ship 10,000 miles from home. Take care and sleep well knowing the US Navy is on
watch tonight, but say a prayer for the 250 members of the Cole who must wake tomorrow to another day of fighting for their ship.

Lt. ****** *********
USS ANCHORAGE

[pickel]

Toadman: Thanks for sharing with us. Having been in Beruit, Lebanon, I can testify to how hostile and belligerent a place this part of our planet is. Three of my shipmates never returned home from this cruise and their memory always haunts me. God bless our sailors and soldiers where ever they may be.

[socalgal]

Thank you for sharing, Toadman.

A very moving message, indeed.

[Toadman]

The floating commercial dry-dock "Blue Marlin" is enroute to Yemen. It certainly will be interesting to see how they can delicately bring it aboard.