Victoria Per Scientiam
Copyright© 2019 by SGTStoner
End Notes
End notes:
This story is dedicated to “Cliffie”, a senior Chief Petty Officer who served on the USS Liberty (AGTT-5) at the time it was attacked in 1967 in the Eastern Mediterranean during the “Six-Day War.” The Liberty was one of two unarmed American intelligence gathering ships that had been attacked during the Cold War, where sailors regularly went into dangerous waters to obtain information that our armed forces and national leaders could never otherwise obtain.
Some of them paid the ultimate price during their service, and all of them were forced to keep their experiences to themselves, never being able to reveal their activities to their families who might have otherwise been able to give them the support and comfort they deserved. It was a hard and lonely burden to bear, but they shouldered it always with great honor, albeit always at a very personal and enduring cost.
We cannot fully appreciate the hard and dangerous work these men did for us, as their stories remain untold, and shall remain so long after they are gone. Until that day comes when the stories of their service can finally come to light, we can only offer an ignorant, yet heartfelt thanks, for their unknown sacrifices that have undoubtedly contributed to our safety and well being in ways that we can yet only dream of.
Senior Chief, Victoria! And thanks for reaching out to me while I was writing this. I have never felt so honored.
Thanks to so many of you who have offered your support and encouragement as I’ve dipped my toe into the world of fiction writing. I’ve learned much and grown more as a writer, and I assure you that more stories from me shall come in the future. I hope those endeavors will be met with the same kindness and love as you have all offered me here.