LCS Joins Local Veterans Service Organization to Remember USS Cole Sailor

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Miranda Williams | 171012-M-FX717-005 SAN DIEGO (October 12, 2017) Cmdr. Chris Farricker, Littoral Combat Ship Crew 106 commanding officer, from Port Charlotte, Florida, gives a speech during the memorial of Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer. Palmer was a San Diego native who lost her life onboard USS Cole (DDG 67) during the terrorist attack on the ship on Oct. 12, 2000 in Aden, Yemen. Family and friends of Palmer have held an annual memorial at her grave since the attack. (U.S. Navy photo by Steven Williams, USMC retired/RELEASED)  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

10.12.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Luc-Rikardo Fils 

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1

SAN DIEGO – Littoral combat ship Sailors joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) District 1, family and friends on Oct. 12 to honor the memory of Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer who served aboard USS Cole (DDG 67) and lost her life on Oct. 12, 2000 when Cole was attacked by terrorists.

Littoral Combat Ship Crew 106 commanding officer, Cmdr. Chris Farricker, was the guest speaker for the service which has been held by Palmer’s family and friends since 2000.

“Seaman Palmer was a dedicated Sailor who never knew the meaning of the word quit. She was a star track athlete in high school, competing in hurdles, sprints, and the 400 meter relay. She continued her quest for excellence when she enlisted in the Navy in 1997,” said Farricker. “She served with distinction aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and the destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67). Her hardworking and selfless dedication ensured a lasting impact on her shipmates and the rest of the U.S. Navy.”

Ceremony attendees included Joe Rush, a local veteran and former American Legion 310 past junior commander. A 24-year veteran of the Army with service during the Vietnam War, Rush echoed the same sentiments of Palmer and explained why he was so compelled to attend the memorial.

"The way I see it is that Lakiba was in the armed forces. I was in the Armed Forces,” said Rush. "Lakiba gave up everything. There is an old saying ‘all give some, some give all.’ She gave all.”

Rush has been coming to the event for three years with the Palmer family. He continued to state how important this event was to service members past, present and future.

“There is nothing we can do to pay her back,” said Rush. “It is important that we come here and honor her today, but there is nothing we can do because she has given her life for our freedom.”

Douglas Scholl, the event coordinator and VFW District 1 commander, said he was stationed in the region on USS Tarawa (LHA 1) when the attack on Cole occurred and his ship was diverted to assist.

“This day hits close to home every year,” Scholl said. “I saw firsthand what the Sailors were going through after the attack and it was heartbreaking. This is just one small way that we pause to remember and honor the sacrifice of Seaman Palmer and the other 16 Sailors who lost their lives that day. They will never be forgotten.”

Palmer Hall, apartment-style barracks at Naval Base San Diego, is named in honor of Seaman Palmer. Lakiba Palmer Avenue, in San Diego, is also named after her.

Cole was repaired and returned to active duty service in 2002.

• Date Taken: 10.12.2017
• Date Posted: 10.16.2017 16:15
• Story ID: 251531
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US