A play about the USS Liberty takes the stage this month. It is the heart wrenching story of what happened to the USS Liberty on that fateful day June 8, 1967. It is entitled "Enemies Within" and is adapted by Candie Johnson from the screen play by Clint Burnette. It tells the story of the ship that came under fire by Israeli forces and those who survived, especially three particular sailors Ernie Gallo, Ron Kukal, and Phill Tourney who tell their particular personal stories. It is a tribute to the 34 sailors who were killed and the 174 who were wounded. Their story will be told.
As one of the USS Liberty survivors, and the former chaplain for the Liberty Veterans Association, I have always felt Divine Intervention kept the USS Liberty afloat. I was assigned the hideous task of being the enlisted man in charge of the body recovery and identification, and I thought my job was done after the last body was taken care of. Little did I know that the families of these men would require my attention, and my efforts were sidetracked more then once by my own injuries, and the problems life hands you as a combat veteran in the aftermath. It has always been on my heart to confort every last family by telling them I was with their loved one, but time seems to be running out on me, until this type of help was discovered. Even at my late age, it is entirely possible that I can still accomplish that task. Our president Calvin Coolidge once said, "That nation that forgets it's defenders, will be forgotten itself". That my friends is something I must try to correct, and if there is still time in my life I want to do just that. Any help I get in this project is certainly a plus in my life. God willing that will happen.
Review from Guidestar
This organization has helped me with providing assistance in the validation of my services and duties aboard the USS Liberty AGTR-5, during the attack by Israel during the Six Day War
during June 1967. The crewmen aboard the Liberty provided me with letters of references as to my presence aboard the Liberty and duties from June 9th to June 14 1967 and describes the exposures of horrific destruction to the ship and carnage of the ships crew as I was a member of the Rescue, Damage Control and Repair Team from the USS Davis DD937.
I cannot put a monetary benefit on this review, however, the truth is all very worthy.!!!
The Liberty Veterans Association is a fine organization that consists of survivors of the attack on the U.S.S. Liberty. Their mission is to educate the public on the events that occurred that day and to make sure it never happens again. These folks are hero's all. They have had some problems but they are like true Americans, they never give up. I am proud to know them.
Review from Guidestar