Cole (DDG 67) - Naval Cruise Book

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OS2 Timothy L. Saunders August 20, 1968 October 12 2000 Timothy Lamont Saunders was born on August 20, 1968 to Betty Saunders. l-le was her only son. Timothy attended Dan River High School in Danville, Virginia from which he graduated in 1986. Timothy had been very involved in school activities. I-le sang bass in the school chorus. I-le was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farm- ers of America, and the Distribu- tive Education Clubs of America. I-le was a member of the wrestling team, the boyls track team, and he also played varsity football. Timothy's mother said that he had always dreamed of someplace big- ger than Ringgold, the small town where he lived on Virginia's south- side. Timothy realized that dream after joining the Navy on July 10, 1989. Timothy graduated from Basic Training on October 12, 1989 and then reported to his first ship, USS WISCONSIN QBB 64j, in the Arabian Gulf. Timothy would be stationed there until March 1992. Timothy mar- ried his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline, and became a father when his daughter, Isley, was born. The family moved to Vir- ginia Beach and, in April 1992 Timothy reported to USS ENTERPRISE QCVN 651. In 1993, a second daughter, Joce- lyn, was born. ln December 1993, Timothy reported to USS GEORGE WASHINGTON QCVN 73, and, in February 1996, Timothy reported for duty at Fleet Combat Training Center in Dam Neck, Virginia where he became an Operations SpeCialiST On July 9, 1999, OS2 Saunders reported for duty in USS COLE QDDG 671. On October 12, 2000, a terrorist bomb took the life of Timothy Saunders at the age of 32. OS2 Saunders WHS posthumously awarded the Pumle Heart by the President of the United States. Petty Officer Sain ders is survived by his wife, Jackle and their two daughters, Isley and Jocelyn, who reside in Virginia-

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'ZSLH 'Diffs ff ' S3 Ronch N f llVl ester M. Santiago 17 I. T ' February 10, 1978 October 12, 2000 Ronchester Mananga Santiago was born on February 10, 1978 to Rogelio and Simeona Santiago. 'iRon , as he was known to family and friends, was a 1997 graduate of H.lVI. King High School in Kingsville, Texas. Ron completed his course work at Kingsville Alter- native High School in December 1996, howev- er, due to an early ship date for the Navy. Ron was attracted to the adventure the Navy had to offer. He wanted to see the world and gain experience. The military was a familiar way of life to Ron because his father had retired from the Navy. Petty Officer San- tiago was to leave COLE in December 2000 as his enlistment was coming to an end. He had plans to study electrical engineer- ing at the University of Texas. Those plans would not become reality because Petty Officer Santiago was in the galley preparing lunch when a terrorist bomb took his life on October 12, 2000. He was 22. MS3 Santia- go was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart by the President of the United States. Petty Officer Santiago is sur- vived by his parents, Rogelio and Simeona, along with other family members and friends.

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September 1, 1974 - October 12, 2000 ,Q-R, ..,.,.,,,,-,.- 1 ary G Swenchonis, Jr. Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr. was born on September 1, 1974 in Fort Hood, Texas to Gary Sr. and Deborah Swen- chonis. Gary attended Rockport-Fulton High School in Rock- port, Texas from which he graduated in 1994. Gary had hoped to begin a military career after high school, and so he enlisted in the Army for four years. Gary earned many train- ing certificates as a Logistical Specialist. He also earned many medals, including the Medal of Achievement, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Rifleman, Soldiers' Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. After his stint in the Army, Gary joined the Navy and received orders to USS COLE. Finally, Gary had found what he loved to do. Gary, who was known as Swiss on the ship, was excited about the upcoming deployment because of all the places he would be able to see. Fireman Apprentice Swenchonis had a short career in the Navy as an act of terrorism claimed his life on October 12, 2000. He was 26. Fireman Apprentice Swenchonis was posthumously awarded the rank of Fireman. FN Swenchonis was also awarded the Purple Heart by the President of the United States. Gary was very patriotic. He loved the Navy, loved his job, and loved seeing the world. Fire- man Swenchonis is survived by his parents, Gary Sr. and Deb- orah, his sister and brother-in-law, Shalala and Carlton Wood, and many other family members and friends.