Training Support Center (TSC) held a remembrance ceremony honoring the 17 Sailors who lost their lives and 39 Sailors who were injured during the terrorist attack 16 years ago in Aden, Yemen, aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67), Oct. 12.

"I think we are privileged to have one of our ships here at TSC named after the USS Cole, determined warrior, and making sure our Sailors going through training understand that those that served before us and made the ultimate sacrifice, we must remember them," said TSC Command Master Chief Jeffrey Kirby. "This day is important to our Navy history and we should step back and reflect on the significance of what happened, and they need to be ready and trained if they are put in harm's way."

Following a moment of silence at the USS Cole Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, the names of the honored Sailors were read aloud and bells were struck in remembrance as a ceremonial wreath and roses were presented. Followed by the playing of "Taps," the roses represented the purity of the souls lost that day and the thorns represented the pain they left behind.

Guest speaker at the ceremony was retired Master Chief Petty Officer Pamela L. Jacobsen, instructor at Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Great Lakes. Honored guests present for the event were retired Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, former commanding officer of Cole, and Chief Petty Officer Tabitha Miller -- both were aboard Cole when it was attacked.

"Today is important because it gives us a sense of where we've come from and what we are capable of," Jacobson said. "One of the single biggest things that came out of that event was that the ship came back to the states after the attack and is war ship ready today. That really shows the tenacity of an American Sailor and what we can do when we have the training, tools and time. We saved a billion dollar warship from sinking that day. It is also important that we honor those that died in defense of freedom. Freedom is not free, and there are 17 names of Sailors who died that prove that."

The blast tore a 40-by-60 hole in the side of the ship. Sailors fought for 96 hours, freeing shipmates trapped by twisted wreckage, containing flooding, and restoring engineering systems vital to the ship's survival.

"When you look at the young men and women who choose a life of consequence to serve our nation, those men and women are making a conscious choice to do something different than the vast majority of their peers and Americans," Lippold said. "They are choosing to become part of something bigger than they are, to contribute to a common cause which is the safety of our nation and the freedom of our country. In the case of those Sailors that made the ultimate sacrifice when the USS Cole was attacked, they lost their lives in defense of our nation. We should always remember them, honor their service, but look forward to the future because our nation is facing tremendous challenges today and it is only going to be when we as a nation stand together firmly that we are going to be able to face that uncertain future."

Along the shores of the Elizabeth River at Naval Station Norfolk the Cole Memorial site features 17 low-level markers signifying the youthfulness of the Sailors, whose lives were cut short.

Three tall, granite monoliths, each bearing brass plaques, stand for the three colors of the American flag. A set of brown markers encircling the memorial symbolize the darkness and despair that overcame the ship. In addition, 28 black pine trees were planted to represent the 17 Sailors and the 11 children they left behind.

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