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of the USS Forrestal. ****
On July 29, 1967 the United States
Navy suffered a devastating tragedy onboard the USS Forrestal while conducting flight operations in the Tonkin Gulf (Yankee
Station) off the coast of Vietnam. There was a fire and multiple explosions that resulted in the loss of 134 and seriously
injuring 67 of the finest sailors who ever walked the decks of a naval vessel. Each and every man who was aboard the USS Forrestal
that tragic day is a hero. So many young men faced such an unimaginable task with a level of courage and
bravery that is seldom seen. These men deserve our respect and we owe them a debt of gratitude that we will never be
able to repay. As you look around we hope you will understand our determination and the importance of honoring these
men we lost and those who are still alive today.
Our heavenly Father, we see this day as one minute
and yet a lifetime for all of us. We thank you for the courage of those who gave their lives in saving their shipmates today.
We humbly ask You to grant them peace and to their loved ones the consolation and strength to bear their loss. Help
us to renew the faith we have in You. We thank You for our own lives. May we remember You as You have remembered us
today. From our hearts we turn to You now, knowing that You have been at our side in every minute of this day. Heavenly Father,
help us to rebuild and reman our ship, so that our brothers who died today may not have made a fruitless sacrifice.
Offered by Captain John K. Beling, Commanding Officer, USS Forrestal, July 29, 1967
Mission Statement
The USS Forrestal Memorial Organization is located in Longview, Texas. We hope
to create this memorial to honor all the men who served and died aboard the USS Forrestal on July 29, 1967, additionally we
hope this memorial will serve to honor all our servicemen who fought in Vietnam conflict. It is our hope that we will be able
to educate the public by making them aware of the many sacrifices that were made that day in 1967 and throughout the Vietnam
War era. This is a part of our American history that needs to be honored and respected by all Americans. Through our relentless
efforts and your support we will pay tribute to our Veterans with this memorial that everyone will be
proud of.
Longview, Texas - 32.52N 94.79W (Elev. 397 ft)
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