Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, August, 2015, pp. 16
What They Said
Remarks on the Anniversary of Israel’s 1967 Attack on the USS Liberty
By Ernie Gallo
Captain Burks, Colonel Nalls, USS Liberty crew, USS Liberty families, friends and supporters—Let me start by saying welcome to our 48th USS Liberty Memorial. I will be brief.
But first, let me introduce our distinguished guest, Captain Vorrice Burks, representing Secretary of the Navy Mabus.
Why do we do this each year? Yes, it is to remember and pray for our lost souls, but also to let Washington, DC know the event of June 8, 1967 will never be forgotten. The importance to America of our story fundamentally begins with our 34 shipmates murdered that fateful day. Otherwise they would have died for nothing. With their deaths in mind and our love of country, we don’t want this to ever happen again to a U.S. Navy ship.
Some did not even see what hit them, it started so quickly and violently. Others were attempting to ensure the ship survived this attack, manning a 50 caliber machine gun, fighting fires, or rescuing a fallen shipmate, and were hit by missiles, shrapnel, gunfire, drowning, or concussion from the torpedo explosion. The remaining crew owes so much to these brave sailors. With that said, I pray our Lord finds a very special place for their souls, feeling His love and presence.
The mission of the USS Liberty Veterans Association indicates we strive to have the truth told about the deliberate IDF attack. We want the truth captured in history books for posterity, not the fact that the event is “controversial.” There is nothing controversial about it—all they have to do is ask the “eye witnesses”—the Liberty crew.
Our moral character is being questioned in some circles. Someone is lying, and it isn’t us. The irony here is that in order to serve on the USS Liberty, the sailor was chosen for his honesty and moral character. The USS Liberty survivor problem is that the USS Liberty did not sink as planned.
They first tried to silence us and at the same time create a dishonest spin to protect the U.S.-Israeli relationship. And it worked very well. Later, folks started asking the survivors what happened and we provided an honest answer. By using our truthfulness against us, our detractors made us appear to be dishonest and anti-Jewish bigots, causing us grief over our loss of character and malaise to some Israeli supporters. The dishonesty also tarnishes the deaths of our 34. Can you imagine if one of them was your husband, father or brother? I have written a book to capture the bigotry we have suffered.
When Americans discover what the Johnson administration did to us, it will be like waking a sleeping giant. Japanese Admiral Tito said the same thing. Some of us can see it in the passion of USS Liberty supporters. America is waking up. One eye is now half opened, and they are very fired up. Their numbers are growing and growing.
In conclusion, please say a prayer for our 34, our departed crew, and the remaining crew. Pray our mission is fulfilled soon, for the sake of America and its military. Amen.
May you have a safe trip home and may our Lord bring us back again next year. Vaya con Dios.
Ernie Gallo is president of the USS Liberty Veterans Association and author of the book Liberty Injustices: A Survivor’s Account of American Bigotry (availalbe from AET’s Middle East Books and More). He gave these remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, June 8, 2015.
