I Was There

Submitted by Pete Trunzo (United States), May 17, 2007 at 13:40

I would like to thank you all for your kind words of support concerning this forgotten tragedy. I was onboard the Stark from 1986 until 1989. I was the work center supervisor for the CIWS. Terry Weldon was a friend of mine as was Jeff Caulkins, Mark Tweedy, Mark DeAngelis and many of the others who perished that night.

Now, 20 years later, I still live with the horror of that night and the weeks and months that followed. It is burned into my mind as if it happened yesterday. Very few people remember this forgotten war...and that is exactly what it was. This is truly the tragedy of it all. It was swept away like dust under the rug. Those of us that survived, including the families and friends of the deceased, will never forget. I have made it my mission to remind as many people as I can what happened on that day 20 years ago.

The price of freedom is very high. Many of those who are cuddled safely under it's blanket do not comprehend the sacrifices made by the weavers of that blanket...I would do it again in a second if called. If any of the family and friends or former shipmates would like to contact me, please feel free to do so. A message to the protestors..As you are waving your signs and chanting anti-American rhetoric, remember those who have died so that you may have the right to do so.

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