There are definitely quite a few peopleboth in Israel and the United States

who would like the whole affair involving Israels treacherous and
murderous attack on the USS Liberty to be forgotten, but for the survivors of
that attack, amnesia is not an acceptable option. For them, the often-used
term that so many hear today of never forget means exactly what it
impliesnever forgetand as such they keep the memory of what took place
that day alive.
This past June 8th marked the 40th anniversary of the attack on the USS
Liberty by the air and naval forces of the state of Israel, resulting in the
deaths of 34 American servicemen and a cover-up that has been maintained
throughout the entire period. In remembrance of the day thatfor manywill
always be a day that will live in infamy, the Liberty Veterans Association
(LVA) organized a reunion that included several ceremonies marking the
event. Owing to the fact that American Free Press has been covering the
Liberty incident throughout the months of April and May, the LVA invited
Americas last real newspaper to attend as a special guest.
The ceremonies began on Friday, June 8th with a trip to Arlington national
cemetery to honor the Liberty dead buried there. Although it was a blazing
hot day and the humidity was high, the heat did not deter these men from
making good on their oath of protecting America from all enemies foreign
and domestic, just as the rockets and napalm did not deter them 40 years
ago. The crowd of about 300 was addressed by various speakers, including
incoming-president of the LVA and Liberty veteran Ernie Gallo who spoke
of the ultimate sacrifice paid by those interred in the hallowed ground of
Americas most important cemetery. During the ceremony, as in years past,
each of the members took turns approaching the mass grave holding the
remains of 6 crew members killed that day, salutes, and then announces the
name of one of the 34 members who perished. After the last name is read, a
bugler in a white Naval uniform played Taps in respectful remembrance of
the dead.
From there the group went by bus to the Fort Meyers Officers Club for a
luncheon and small presentation and for a much-needed break from the heat
and humidity. It is wind-down time for the attendees as they mingle from
table to table, shaking hands or hugging shipmates they have not seen in
many years. Some stayed in the air-conditioned room, some wandered
outside for a smoke.
From there they boarded the busses again and headed for the Naval
Memorial in downtown Washington DC on Pennsylvania Avenue. All took

their seats and listened to a series of speeches from several individuals

associated directly or indirectly with the LVA, including shipmate Glen
Oliphant and former US Ambassador Edward Peck who spoke of the
injustice that the men of the Liberty endured in the cover-up of Israels
attack these last 4 decades. Again, the names of the Liberty victims were
recited aloud and a bell was wrung following the recital of each name.
Afterwards, a wreath was laid at the Statue of the Unknown Sailor and
Taps was played to a silent and somber crowd. Following this, the crowd
was invited to view the DVD documentary on the Liberty incident by BBC
investigative journalist Peter Hounam at a location nearby. Afterwards the
ceremonies ended for the day and everyone returned to the Marriot
Courtyard Hotel in Tysons Corner, Virginia, where a good number of the
crew members gathered in the bar on the 2nd floor, threw back a few beers,
talked, laughed and cried.
The next day began with a trip to the Annapolis Naval Academy in
Maryland where a plaque was presented by that institution in honor of the 3
graduates from the academyPhilip Armstrong, David Lewis and Stephen
Tothwho were on the USS Liberty June 8th 1967 during the attack. The
ceremony featured speeches from educators from the academy and a very
emotional invocation and benediction by former Chaplain George Evans.
The plaque was accepted by Lt. Commander Dave Lewis who was the
Intelligence Officer onboard the Liberty and a graduate of the academy as
well. After the ceremony a traditional American lunch was served right there
at the academy consisting of hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, and of
course, beer. Once the attendees had their stomachs filled, all boarded the
bus for the trip back to Virginia.
The bus ride back afforded the best opportunity in seeing the members of the
Liberty crew in a manner up close and personal. They sat in the back just as
they would have in the mess hall of the ship that day, telling jokes, teasing
each other and talking of trivial matters. It was when the talk turned to
politics though, politics past and present, that it became obvious these were
no longer young men who had not seen the world at its worst. Beginning on
June 8th, 1967 and continuing every day since, they had learned how politics
in the Zionist occupied territory known as the United States works and had
paid dearly during that schooling process. You could see it in their eyes and
hear it in their voices. It was clear in the expressions that their faces made
when speaking of it allthe betrayal 40 years ago by the same government
they swore to servethe indifference on the part of the American people to
what happened to them, their visceral hatred for the people who subjected

them to a living hell on earth when missiles, torpedoes and napalm were
hurled against their ship for over an hour and whoas of yetare to pay the
price for what they did that day, and last but not least, where it is all going
with regards to American involvement in the wars to save Israel taking place
today.
That evening, the last of the ceremonies took place, which was the banquet.
A wonderful meal was served and there were addresses from several crew
members of the Liberty, but most importantly, a member of the US
Intelligence community (who insisted that his speech not be recorded nor his
name mentioned) confirmed what the members of the Liberty have known
all alongthat Israels attack on their ship 40 years ago was neither an
accident nor a case of mistaken identity, as Israel has falsley claimed these
last 4 decades. He had the highest clearance possible in the US government
and had seen all the raw intelligence dealing with the attack and was able to
confirm conclusively that Israel knew the ship was American and that it was
the intention of the Jewish state to sink her that day and kill everyone
aboard.
At the end of the 3 day ceremony, what the casual observer was left to
conclude is that the Liberty boys exemplify the best of what America once
was and could be againloyalty, devotion and the will to fight to the very
end to keep their ship afloat, despite all that is brought to bear against them.
This casual observer has no doubt about the fact that the men from the USS
Liberty will fight to the last man to keep the memory of what happened forty
years ago alive and in the finest tradition of the US Navy will do all in their
power to protect America from all enemies foreign and domestic, just as they
did June 8th 1967 and every day since.