Uss Cole

marlob@herald-mail.com A memorial plaque was dedicated at Fountain Rock Elementary School on Thursday night to U.S. Navy Seaman Craig Wibberley, who was killed two years ago in the terrorist attack on the USS Cole. "Craig's life was lost in his devotion to duty, to God and to country," said the Rev. Anne Weatherholt during a ceremony at the school where Wibberley was a student from 1986 to 1991. "He has become a hero to all of us. " Weatherholt said she hopes the plaque will inspire pride in every student who sees it. The plaque was unveiled by Wibberley's parents, Thomas and Patty Wibberley.

Fund benefits Cole's sailors In response to the attack of USS Cole (DDG 67) and resulting injury and loss of life, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has established a fund to benefit sailors assigned to the ship and their family members. While plans for how the money will be used are still tentative, it will benefit USS Cole sailors and their families in their time of need. For more information, call NMCRS at 1-703-696-4904, Fax: (703) 696-2644. Those wishing to make donations can send their contribution to: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society 801 North Randolph Street Suite 1228 Arlington, VA 22203-1978 Please be sure to designate "For USS Cole" on the check.

Highway workers Terry Jones, Robert Brown, Chuck Triesh Jr., David Beall and Brett Meunier erect a commemorative sign Wednesday on Halfway Boulevard. The bridge over Interstate 81 has been dedicated to Fireman Apprentice Patrick Roy of Keedysville and Seaman Craig Wibberley of Williamsport, who were killed four years ago in the attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.

Sarbanes gives his sympathies U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, D-Md., released the following statement regarding the apparent terrorist attack against the USS Cole and the lost and missing crew members from Maryland: "I am deeply saddened and outraged at the deliberate attack against the USS Cole and its crew by apparent terrorist elements. "My heartfelt sympathies, condolences, and prayers go out to the family and friends of Seaman (E-2) Craig Wibberley of Williamsport.

Maryland flags will fly half-staff Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening has ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in tribute to the Maryland sailor killed aboard the USS Cole in Yemen. Glendening and Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend issued the following statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have tragically lost loved ones aboard the USS Cole in Yemen, particularly the family of Craig Wibberley of Williamsport. We join with all Marylanders in expressing condolences during this difficult time, and have authorized that Maryland state flags be flown at half-staff during this period of remembrance to honor and respect the memories of these brave sailors.

Body of Patrick Roy arrives The last four bodies recovered from the USS Cole on Thursday - including that of Fireman Apprentice Patrick Roy, 19, of Keedysville - arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday. Funeral arrangements are not available. Roy's father, Mike Roy, attended Seaman Apprentice Craig Wibberley's funeral services in Hagerstown on Saturday. Although they were shipmates, Wibberley and Roy weren't friends before they enlisted in the military.

Wake held for Wibberley By ANDREA BROWN-HURLEY / Staff Writer Hundreds of mourners passed through St. John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown Friday evening to pay their respects to the family of USS Cole sailor Craig Wibberley. The 19-year-old Williamsport native was killed in the Oct. 12 bombing of the Navy destroyer USS Cole in the port of Aden in Yemen. Funeral services will be held today. Military veterans and scores of the fallen seaman's friends and family members filed to the front of the church to console his parents, Thomas and Patricia Wibberley, and his sister, Toni.

Hundreds of pages of memos, reports, interviews and diagrams that were part of the government investigation into the October 2000 terrorist attack on the USS Cole can now be found at the Washington County Free Library. Williamsport resident Thomas Wibberley, whose son Craig was one of the 17 sailors killed in the attack, recently donated his copy of the report to the library. "I just figured that with the whole incident, and Craig being from this area, (the library) would be a good place for them instead of me just putting them in the attic," Wibberley said.

Roy's body returns By ANDREW SCHOTZ / Staff Writer The body of U.S. Navy Fireman Patrick Howard Roy of Keedysville, who was killed in the USS Cole bombing, arrived in Washington County Wednesday. His body had been at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware since Sunday. continued A funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Salem United Methodist Church at 25 S. Main St. in Keedysville. Burial will follow at Antietam National Cemetery in Sharpsburg.

WILLIAMSPORT - A patriotic tree planting by the Williamsport Garden Club will be held on Armed Forces Day - Saturday, May 19 - at 2 p.m. at the Springfield Farm barn complex. The tree will be planted in memory of two Washington County servicemen - Seaman Craig Wibberley of Williamsport, and Fireman Apprentice Patrick Roy of Keedysville. Wibberley and Roy died when a terrorist bomb tore through the hull of the destroyer USS Cole during a refueling stop in Yemen. The ceremony will include invited local dignitaries and family members.