HEARD—Thomas and Diana Lee took part in the 35th Memorial Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

The ceremony honored 134 who died when a Zuni rocket accidentally hit a fuel tank spewing flammable fuel onto the deck of the USS Forrestal, which was off the coast of North Vietnam. Thomas and his twin brother, William, were both aboard when this occurred.

William Lee was killed at the age of 19 as a result of the explosion.

The visit was the first time Thomas viewed the name of his twin on the wall. Over 400 fellow survivors and families were in attendance. Following the ceremony, at a reception, Gregory A. Freeman, author of “Sailors to the End” was introduced. The book covers the tragedy aboard the USS Forrestal and discusses the bravery of the men who fought the inferno. Sen. John McCain was a pilot about the carrier.

Posted 8/1/2002