Cole (DDG 67) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 91 text:

SN Lakiba . Palmer I March 12, 1978 - . October 12, 2000 Lakiba Nicole Palmer was born on March 12, 1978. She attended San Diego High School in San Diego, California, and she graduated in 1996. During school, Lakiba participated on the track team where her best events were the 400 meter relay and sprints. Lakiba joined the Navy in 1997, something she had planned to do vvhile still at San Diego High. San Diego High School has a long military tradition, and the campus is home to monuments dedicated to former students killed in both World Wars. Lakiba longed for a military career because it promised stability and security. Lakiba received orders to USS COLE in June 2000. Seaman Recruit Palmer was fulfilling her Food Service Attendant QFSAJ duties when a terrorist bomb claimed her life on Octo- ber 12, 2000. She was 22. Seaman Recruit Palmer was posthu- mously awarded the rank of Seaman. SN Palmer was also awarded the Purple Heart by the President of the United States. Lakiba was an aggressive, articulate, and competitive young lady. She did not mind standing up for others and she was not afraid to speak about hovv she felt. Seaman Palmer is survived by her husband, Avinesh, their daugh- ter, Preshilla Cage 1l, her parents, and other family members and friends.

Page 90 text:

EW2 Ronald S. Owens October 31, 1975 - October 12, 2000 Ronald Scott Owens was born. on October 31, 1975. f'Scott'7, as he was known to family and friends, mar- ried his high school sweetheart, Jaime Scott, in November 1995. The following year, their daughter, Isabella, was born. Scott had dreams of obtaining an officer's commission upon returning from deployment in February. l-Ie wanted an education and thought that a commissioning program would be the best way to achieve that goal. Scott would have been 25 on Halloween if a terrorist bomb had not taken his life on October 12, 2000. Petty Officer Owens was posthu- mously awarded the rank of Electronics Warfare Tech- nician Second Class. EW2 Owens was also awarded the Purple Heart by the President of the United States Petty Officer Owens is survived by his wife, Jaime their daughter, Isabella Cage ill, and other family nfem- bers and friends.

Page 92 text:

if ENFN Joshua L. Parlett 1 5 1 wh' .,. 'H July 8 1981 'ERN October 12 2000 Joshua Langdon Parlett was bom on July 8 1981 in Rosedale Maryland to Leroy and Etta Parlett Joshua had three siblings Matthew Kera and Hannah Joshua was the second bom child of four Joshua grew up in Churchvllle Maryland He attended Harford Christ ian School and graduated in Jtme 1999 Joshua was a whiz with computers and was very smart He loved fishing for rock fish in the Susquehanna River He loved joking with his many friends He loved the Lord Joshua Joined the Navy and left for Basic Training on August 31 1999 Joshua did not have one rea son for Joining the Navy he had sever al HIS father and grandfather were both in the Navy He was told that the Navy had the best schools and that he could get money for college which was impor- tant to him, He also liked the Navy uni- form the best out of all the Armed Ser- vices. Fireman Apprentice Parlett attend- ed EN A School in Great Lakes Illi- nois and attended EN C school in Norfolk Virginia, Upon completion of C school Joshua reported for duty in USS COLE. Joshua had only served for fourteen months when an act of terror- ism claimed his life at the age of 19 on October 12 2000. Fireman Apprentice Parlett was posthumously awarded the rank of Fireman ENFN Parlett was also i awarded the Purple Heart by the Presi I dent of the United States Even though I this had been h1s flrst deployment and he mlssed home tembly Joshua was proud to be a Ereman proud to be an Engineman and proud to wear his uni fonn Fireman Parlett IS survived by his parents Leroy and Etta his sibhngs Matthew Kera and Hannah and numerous other family members and friends A Lonely Sailor s Prayer By Joshua Langdon Parlett Dear God I come to you today To ask for help along the WHY The longer I m gone it seems to me My troubles swell up like the raging S95- And when I think I can take no more Just hold my hand like you have before. Please guide me to the siraiglltef Path And please help me to calm my Wfalh' So when more trials may arise I can turn and look them in the 95195- And when others try to test my HUQQI Please help me Lord to be kinder- So maybe they could look on me And see how a Godly sailor should be- But without your help it can t be done So I beg you Lord help me caY1'V On' copyagm 2000