Click on the above image to view a slide show of the Memorial Ceremony

Reunion attendees debarked from the buses, moved slowly past the three restored Vietnam Brownwater Craft and filled their places in the seats provided for the Memorial Ceremony. All remained reflective as they considered the program that was to start soon

The bell rang promptly at 1045 To start the Memorial Ceremony

Following the invocation by Naval Coastal Warfare Group One Chaplain LT Paul Kim, Mr. John Culea, Communications Director for San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn presented the San Diego Swift Boat Sailors Day Proclamation on behalf of San Diego County. The very attractive proclamation was displayed on the side of the Memorial Ceremony podium SBSA President Raul Herrera then delivered his tribute to those sailors that served and sacrificed on Swift Boats so long ago and far away. Raul was followed by Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument President Ken McGhee, who addressed the significance of the memorial dedicated to the 2,565 US Navy and Coast Guard sailors who lost their lives in the conflict in South East Asia and whose names are commemorated in the display on the monument wall. Completing the main speakers at the ceremony was SBSA Treasurer Gene Hart who delivered a tribute to his friend, Swift Boat shipmate and President of the SBSA, Tommy "Trees" Forrest who passed away this previous year

The audience was then asked to stand in reverence as Bill Franke led Jim Deal, Tom Mason, Dave Wallace and Terry Boone as each read a portion of the names of the Swift Boat sailors that lost their lives as a result of the conflict in Vietnam. When each name was read, Swift Boat sailor Gary Carpenter entoned the ship's bell as remembrance of our swiftmates who gave everything so that we that remain may continue to enjoy the freedoms and humane qualities that are so precious to all that we hold dear in this world

The ceremony concluded with a USMC Honor Guard firing a twenty one round tribute Followed by a haunting rendition of Taps performed by a superb Marine bugler

The members of the audience then proceeded to the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument to express their individual emotions and sentiments concerning shipmates and friends they served with and perhaps lost so long ago and far away