A thread from one of the officers aboard Cole. Also a two-time Normandy sailor (once as CO).

Remember this Monday is the 20th Anniversary. Spare a thought from the wardroom and crew of Cole, and for the families of the 17 sailors lost. https://twitter.com/datrnq/status/1314678051209449474

The crew of Cole were in the War on Terror before the rest of us knew we were in it. I'll never forget the feeling of going to Boot Camp two years later and being told at the DC trainer that 36 months ago recruits who were standing where I was standing died on the Cole. Sobering.

That's got to be the enduring lesson that I hope sailors never forget: Any time, any day, any ship in the Navy.

If you haven't read it, read some accounts of what they went through. Start with this thread.