Even though the sky looks clear the moods among the crowd are filled with sadness and grief instead of a happy thought. October 12th will always be a sad day for the United States Navy.
Today on October 12th 2021 there is a memorial service in Norfolk Virginia for the USS Cole and the attack on the USS Cole was one of the worst things that happen 21 years ago as it was indeed a deadliest attack against a United States naval vessel. Because of what happen 17 innocent United States sailors were killed and thirty seven were injured, families had lost beloved ones as hearts were shattered into million pieces. The sailor's are never forgotten and will ways be remembered. After the USS Cole got hit she was taken into the shipyard down in Missippi where she was taken care of to repair the damage that was done, and then she was back in the water in 2002.
Among the crows of people gathered at the memorial service are Lieutenant Penny Keyes and NCIS Special Agent William Keyes, the both of them came to the USS Cole Memorial Service to remember those and also remembering their beloved one who were killed in the USS Cole Bombing. As they are sitting down the both of them are holding pictures of two USS Cole Victims. Penny is wearing her United States Navy Summer White Uniform while William is wearing a nice formal jacket with slacks. Lieutenant Keyes has been feeling upset and withdrawn all day while not wanting to talk, and Special Agent Keyes has been withdrawn to.
Lieutenant Penny Keyes' brother Seamen Apprentice Cadmon Keyes and NCIS Special Agent William Keyes' mother Lieutenant Commander Colette Thaw were killed in the USS Cole Bombing 21 years ago on October 12th 2000; William was 10 years old when his mom died and Penny was eight years old when her brother died and she turn nine the next day on October 13th. When William and Penny received the news they were saddened while their little hearts shattered into pieces and losing someone to deadly attacks becomes a negative impact on a kid's life. William and Penny didn't understand back then to why people who have a heart filled with evil and hatred would attack or kill innocent United States Naval Personals, once they were older both started to understand who was responsible for the nasty vicious attack. After losing her brother Penny didn't wanted to talk about her brother Cadmon and didn't want anyone else to know that she lost a sibling.
William and Penny first meet each other at the TAPS Camp Good Grief in November 2001; they became friends and sharing with each other their stories about losing someone who served in the Military. After William graduated from college he became a NCIS Special Agent, as a NCIS Special Agent William will do anything to help serve and protect Naval Personals and Marines.
At this point during the Memorial Service everyone is silent while the Navy Base Commander reads out loud the name of the sailor's who were killed in the bombing while a Naval Personal rings a bell after each name has been said. Tears are rolling down Lieutenant Keyes' eyes when she hears the Base Commander saying her brother's name and William offers her a tissue.
After the Memorial Service has concluded both Special Agent Keyes and Lieutenant Keyes are standing while looking and admiring at the USS Cole Memorial as there are a couple of reefs laying next to the big granite stone.