The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) held a commemoration ceremony onboard Oct. 12, for fallen and injured Sailors of the Oct. 12, 2000 terrorist attack.

During the ceremony, a wreath was laid, a 21-gun salute was fired and taps played to honor the sacrifice of the 17 Sailors who were killed and 37 wounded when suicide bombers detonated an explosive-laden boat directly against the port side of the ship while refueling in Aden, Yemen, 16 years ago.

The blast tore a 40-by-60 foot hole in the side of the ship. Sailors fought for 96 hours to free trapped shipmates, contain flooding and restore engineering systems vital to the ship's survival.

"We remember that USS Cole is not a museum, a memorial or a piece of history to visit once a year, but a living testament to our shipmates and the resolve of our great Navy and our great nation," said Cmdr. David Wroe, current Cole commanding officer.

"We have the watch for this great ship and we will carry forward the memories of our fallen shipmates as we prepare to deploy back into harm's way."

The ship also hosted a shore-based remembrance at the Cole Memorial on board Naval Station

Norfolk, to offer Cole families, friends and former shipmates the opportunity for fellowship there. More than 75 attended this event, which focused on quiet reflection and the Roll Call of Heroes.

A number of Gold Star families were also on hand, to offer support and pay tribute to the Cole families, and to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter, husband or wife.

"To be able to come back, hear the names and see the faces of Sailors who served then and are serving now, it really brings home the fact that the Navy is a family," said Cmdr. Mikal Phillips, who is assigned to commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, and was a junior officer on board Cole at the time of the attack.
-
"Our business as Sailors is heritage and to execute the nation's calling when asked," he continued. "This memorial is the perfect summation of just that. It's about Sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice for us to maintain freedom, and it's important to keep that idea alive through our current and future Sailors."

Homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, the Cole crew is preparing for a scheduled deployment later this year.

For more Cole news, visit www.navy.mil/local/ddg67/ or www.facebook.com/ddg67.

For more Naval Surface Force Atlantic news, visit www.navy.mil/local/surflant/ or www.facebook.com/surflant.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.