Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Toggle search form
  • UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba  Arab World
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month Activism
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice American Arabs
  • Andrew Boutros, interim US Attorney Northern District of Illinois. Photo courtesy of the US Attorney's Office
    Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois American Arabs
  • Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians March 18 2025
    Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip Arab World
  • Illinois Muslim Action Day April 9 2025
    Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference American Arabs
  • Investigation demanded in March 23 massacre of 15 first responders by Israel's military in Rafah
    Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025 Arab World
  • More than a dozen candidates running for various local offices in the Chicagoland suburbs attended an Ifatr dinner Thursday, March 13, 2025 hosted by the Arab American Chamber of Commerce at the Jerusalem Banquet Hall in Bridgeview.
    Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13 Activism
  • Orland Fire Protection District, Fiscal Voices, receive endorsement of the Arab American Democracy Coaliton
    Independent candidates for Orland Fire receive Arab and Muslim American endorsement Activism
  • Partial Image from a video produced by the PASC called "Citizens Against Insider Politics". The video slandered Arabs and Muslims in Orland Park as being supporters of terrorism. The PAC receivced a major donation fromt he founder of Pete's Fresh Market which operate stores in two heavily populated Arab and Muslim communities, Bridgeview and Orland Park.
    CAIR-Chicago Denounces Growing Islamophobia in Southwest Suburbs, Calls for Hate Crime Investigation Activism
  • The Arab American Chamber of Commerce of Chicagoland and the Palestine Club are hosting a "Candidate's Iftar" on Thursday, March 13 beginning at 5:30 PM at Jerusalem Banquets, 8314 S. Harlem Avenue.
    Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host Candidate Iftar March 13 in Bridgeview Activism
  • Television set and remote. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
    MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator American Arabs
  • Mike Ghouse
    Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony American Arabs
  • Orland Park activist Yousif Zegar addresses the Orland Park Village Board meeting on Feb. 5, 2024.
    All United launches to empower local community and drive political change American Arabs

USS Liberty Veterans Association VP Goes to D.C. to Establish USS Liberty Remembrance Day Over Troubled Waters

Posted on May 6, 2018May 6, 2018 By Eileen Fleming 1 Comment on USS Liberty Veterans Association VP Goes to D.C. to Establish USS Liberty Remembrance Day Over Troubled Waters
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Larry Bowen is a USS Liberty survivor of The Six Day War and the current Vice President of the USS Liberty Veterans Association who is educating Senators regarding the troubled waters that began on 8 June 1967.

Troubled waters refer to a confused or chaotic state of affairs.

By Eileen Fleming

The crew of the USS Liberty is the most decorated crew since World War II and among the most decorated for a single engagement in the entire history of the United States Navy. Virtually unarmed, the American navy intelligence ship was attacked by Israeli planes and torpedo boats on June 8, 1967 killing 34 US Sailors and Marines and wounding 174 more. Yet, the attack has never received a full investigation, as required by law.

USS Liberty survivor of The Six Day War, Larry Bowen is determined to change that. In this excerpt from “We Americans and the USS Liberty” DVD for sale at the Liberty Veterans Association’s Book Store, Bowen courageoulsy speaks about 50 years of Post Traumatic Stress:

From February 25-28, Bowen was one of thousands of veterans on The Hill educating congressional representatives on veterans issues. 

Bowen reported:

On Monday I was able to meet and talk with people in various Senators offices: John Kennedy (LA); Patrick Toomey (PA); Mitch McConnell (KY); Michael Enzi (WY): and Marco Rubio (FL).

The primary topic was American Legion Resolution #40; the USS Liberty and having Congress investigate the attack on the USS Liberty.

The general response was getting a Remembrance Day or having a Permanent Memorial erected both of which would stand a much better chance of passage.

On Tuesday, I was able to meet and talk with the following people in various Congressmen’s offices:

Congressman Robert Wittmann (VA)

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN)

Congressman Devin Nunes (CA)

Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (MD)

I was pleased that even though it has been fifty years since the attack on the Liberty 50% of the offices that I visited left me with the impression that they would at least read the material I had gone over with them and provide me feedback.

Congressman Nunes office has already emailed me to set-up a return visit to meet with the Congressman personally for a discussion and a photo opportunity…-Larry L. Bowen, USS LIBERTY VETERANS ASSOCIATION Vice-President, USS LIBERTY AGTR-5 (Survivor)

During the first week of May, Bowen provided further details and the following resolutions via email: 

In addition to my visit to DC in February I’ve been very busy with getting ‘resolutions’ moving through various organizations in New York and Maryland. In New York the American Legion, VFW, and Korean War Veterans have all submitted resolutions asking for their state legislatures to approve the resolutions.

In the state of Maryland the VFW and the Disabled American Veterans have also submitted similar resolutions asking for the same thing…

I also met with Senator Michael Enzi’s Legislative Assistant Mr. Charles Carroll and provided him with the American Legion resolution 40. We talked for some time but whenever I tried to get a commitment from him he would always defer to his “boss.”

In looking through some of my folders, I also made visits to Senator Joe Donnelly’s office and left material for Connor Jeffers his Legislative Correspondent. Senator Sherrod Brown’s office where I actually talked with his Legislative aide Tommy Brown and left material there as well; and Senator Mark Warner’s office where I talked with Micah Barbour the Legislative Correspondent and left American Legion resolution 40 and other USS Liberty material.

I will be going back down to Washington in a couple of weeks to knock on some more doors and re-visit some of these previous doors to see if anything has changed…

The American Legion Department of New York

Hereby submits a resolution to petition the New York State Legislature and the Governor to recognize the crew of the USS Liberty and the thirty-four servicemen killed by dedicating a memorial and establishing June 8thas USS Liberty Day in New York and that the New York State Congressional delegation submit national legislation to set aside June 8theach year as USS Liberty Day and authorize the placement of a memorial within Washington DC.

Whereas, on June 8, 1967 the USS Liberty and her crew of 294 (including 3 civilians) was operating in international waters; and,

Whereas, in an unprovoked attack by Israeli war planes and torpedo boats resulted in the death of 34 Americans including five from New York and the wounding of 174 others; and,

Whereas, after sending out distress calls stating the ship was under attack and requires immediate assistance the attack continues for approximately 22 minutes involving 30 to 35 sorties and following the air attack three Israeli motor torpedo boats fire five torpedoes one of which strikes Liberty on the starboard side resulting in the deaths of twenty-five (25) of the thirty-four (34) men killed; and

Whereas, the crew of the USS Liberty fought valiantly to overcome the battle damage that included severe structural damage and save their ship often placing themselves in extremely hazardous situations in total disregard for their personal safety finally succeeding to reach port; and,

Whereas, due to the sensitive nature of the USS Liberty’s equipment and documents crew members still reeling from the attack with some having suffered wounds during the attack were tasked with entering the severely damaged area and recovering the bodies and body parts of their fellow shipmates; and,

Whereas, having suffered through the attack and subsequent recovery the crew was informed that under penalty of arrest, fines, and imprisonment they were forbidden to speak about the incident which further compounded the effects of Post Traumatic Stress; and,

Whereas, because of unsupported statements by some U.S. government officials that the attack was accidental, the USS Liberty survivors have been vilified in some quarters for over 50 years because they refuse to be part of the government’s cover-up; and,

Whereas, the USS Liberty is the most decorated Navy ship for a single engagement. To wit, Captain William McGonagle received the Medal of Honor, and the crew received 2 Navy Crosses; 12 Silver Stars; 26 Bronze Stars; 208 Purple Hearts; 9 Navy Commendation Medals; the Combat Action Ribbon; the Presidential Unit Citation; and more.

Whereas, at its national convention in 2017, the American Legion adopted Resolution 40 calling upon the United States Congress “to publicly, impartially, and thoroughly investigate the attack on the USS Liberty and its aftermath; and,

Whereas, no memorial befitting the heroic actions of the crew of the USS Liberty has been established due in part to the incident being shrouded in controversy; now be it

Resolved, that the members of The American Legion Department of New York assembled in convention July 19, 2018 urge the New York State Legislature to formally recognize the date June 8thas USS Liberty Day now and forever and dedicate a memorial befitting the courage and dedication of the Liberty’s crew and the five New York sailors who lost their lives be placed in Albany New York; and be it further

Resolved, that the New York State Congressional delegation be herby respectfully memorialized by the New York State Legislative Body to pass legislation recognizing the date June 8thnow and forever as USS Liberty Day and authorize the dedication of a memorial befitting the courage and dedication of the Liberty’s crew to be placed in Washington DC; and be it further,

Resolved, that the American Legion, Department of New York reaffirms Resolution 40 and calls upon all members of New York’s U.S. Congressional delegation to heed the resolution’s call for Congress “to publicly, impartially, and thoroughly investigate the attack on the USS Liberty and its aftermath”; and,

Resolved, that this resolution is forwarded to the National Organization for its support.###


The Disabled American Veterans Department of Maryland

Hereby submit a resolution to petition the Maryland State Legislature and the Governor to recognize the crew of the USS Libertyand the thirty-four servicemen killed by dedicating a memorial and establishing June 8thas USS Liberty Day in Maryland and that the Maryland State Congressional delegation submit national legislation to set aside June 8theach year as USS Liberty Day and authorize the placement of a memorial within Washington DC.

Whereas, on June 8, 1967 the USS Liberty and her crew of 294 (including 3 civilians) was operating in international waters; and,

Whereas, in an unprovoked attack by Israeli war planes and torpedo boats resulted in the death of 34 Americans including one civilian from the largest Department of Defense employer in Anne Arundel County and the wounding of 174 others; and,

Whereas, after sending out distress calls stating the ship was under attack and requires immediate assistance the attack continues for approximately 22 minutes involving 30 to 35 sorties and following the air attack three Israeli motor torpedo boats fire five torpedoes one of which strikes Liberty on the starboard side resulting in the deaths of twenty-five (25) of the thirty-four (34) men killed; and

Whereas, the crew of the USS Liberty fought valiantly to overcome the battle damage that included severe structural damage and save their ship often placing themselves in extremely hazardous situations in total disregard for their personal safety finally succeeding to reach port; and,

Whereas, due to the sensitive nature of the USS Liberty’s equipment and documents crew members still reeling from the attack with some having suffered wounds during the attack were tasked with entering the severely damaged area and recovering the bodies and body parts of their fellow shipmates; and,

Whereas, having suffered through the attack and subsequent recovery the crew was informed that under penalty of arrest, fines and imprisonment they were forbidden to speak about the incident which further compounded the effects of Post Traumatic Stress; and,

Whereas, because of unsupported statements by some U.S. Government officials that the attack was accidental, the Liberty survivors have been vilified in some quarters for over 50 years because they refuse to be part of the government’s cover-up; and,

Whereas, the USS Liberty is the most decorated Navy ship for a single engagement. To wit, Captain William McGonagle received the Medal of Honor, and the crew received 2 Navy Crosses (posthumously); 12 Silver Stars (3 posthumously); 26 Bronze Stars; 9 Navy Commendations; 208 Purple Hearts (34 killed in action); the Combat Action Ribbon; the Presidential Unit Citation; and,

Whereas, at its national convention in 2017, the American Legion adopted Resolution 40 calling upon the United States Congress “to publicly, impartially, and thoroughly investigate the attack on the USS Liberty and its aftermath; and,

Whereas, no memorial befitting the heroic actions of the crew of the USS Liberty has been established due in part to the incident being shrouded in controversy; now be it

Resolved, that the members of The Disabled American Veterans Department of Maryland assembled in convention during June 2018 urge the Maryland State Legislature to formally recognize the date June 8th as USS Liberty Day now and forever and dedicate a memorial befitting the courage and dedication of the Liberty’s crew and Lieutenant  Steven Toth a United States Naval Academy Graduate who lost their lives be placed in Annapolis, Maryland; and be it further

Resolved, that the Maryland State Congressional delegation be hereby respectfully memorialized by the Maryland State Legislative Body to pass legislation recognizing the date June 8thnow and forever as USS LibertyDay and authorize the dedication of a memorial befitting the courage and dedication of the Liberty’s crew to be placed in Washington DC; and be it further,

Resolved, that the Disabled American Veterans Department of Maryland reaffirms Resolution 40 and calls upon all members of Maryland’s U.S. Congressional delegation to heed the resolution’s call for Congress “to publicly, impartially, and thoroughly, investigate the attack on the USS Liberty and its aftermath”; and,

Resolved, that this resolution is forwarded to the National Organization to for its support.###

THIS STORY WILL CONTINUE HERE

Eileen Fleming, senior non-Arab correspondent writes for TADN

HERE

Contact Eileen Fleming

 HERE

 

newswire info
  • About
  • Latest Posts
Eileen Fleming
Eileen Fleming
Senior Non-Arab Correspondent for TADN at The Arab Daily News
Senior Non-Arab Correspondent for The Arab Daily News
Producer "30 Minutes with Vanunu" who founded WeAreWideAwake.org in response to her first of 8 trips to both sides of The Wall in Palestine Israel.
In 2012, Eileen ran for US House of Representatives District 5, in Fl.
Read her FREE eBooks and more at:http://www.eileenfleming.org/
Eileen Fleming
Latest posts by Eileen Fleming (see all)
  • Vanunu still has more nuclear secrets to spill, Israeli court declares - December 29, 2021
  • 9/11 and a 20th Reflection of That Day - September 5, 2021
  • Mordechai Vanunu: Final Annual Update and this Writers Next Steps - June 19, 2021

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Eileen Fleming, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan

Post navigation

Previous Post: CNN’s Chris Cuomo pressed Netanyahu on Israel’s WMD and Slipped in The Truth
Next Post: Detroit women’s shelter receives major makeover from Arab American Service Day volunteers

Related Posts

  • American Muslims victimized long before Trump American Arabs
  • Council on American Islamic Relations "Muslims Vote" Logo
    CAIR Exit Poll Finds 94% of Michigan Muslims Voted ‘Uncommitted’ in Dem Primary American Arabs
  • Sanders edge in Michigan may be due to Arab support American Arabs
  • Christians targeted by Islamic extremists & more Arab World
  • Saudi Arabia’s Reach in Yemen: Fighting for Regional Dominance Arab World
  • Mordechai Vanunu: Ignored by The Intercept, Listed at Amazon FUN Forum as a Notable Traitor Arab World

More Related Articles

Salaita hires powerful civil rights legal team, demands reinstatement at UIUC American Arabs
Witch-hunts, USS LIBERTY and If Americans Only Knew! American Arabs
Rally in Algiers, March 15. Courtesy L'EL-Biaroise Houra Algerian Islamists: From Political Reality to Dialectical Crisis Identity  Abdennour Toumi
IDF soldiers and Israeli settlers (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Ehrenreich book exposes media lies about Israel’s occupation Arab World
Palestinian Issa Kronfel standing in his store in Maracay Venezuela in the 1960s. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Arab Radio discusses the Arabs of South America Friday 8 am EST Editors Picks
Storms, floods slam Gaza Strip Arab World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Photo courtesy of Journalist Abdennour Toumi
    France: Political Compromise vs Political Instability
    August 28, 2024
  • Zakia Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
    Arabs eat Middle East food like they are making love
    June 27, 2024
  • Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
    Zwar ranked the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland suburbs
    June 8, 2024
  • Pictured: Rahm Emanuel, Afghan activist Salman Aftab who was co-chair of the Iftar dinner, and several non-Arab Muslim leaders. Also pictured is Ald. Joe Moore. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania for Arab News
    Comprehensive look at the failings of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    January 18, 2024
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
    April 29, 2025
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders
    April 27, 2025
  • Mike Ghouse
    Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony
    February 14, 2025
  • Arab American Democracy Coalition logo 2025
    AADC to host annual candidates’ Forum & Brunch Sunday at Nikos in Bridgeview
    February 11, 2025

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • NEWS
  • UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba 
    May 9, 2025
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
    April 29, 2025
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Faisal Abbas Book Anecdotes
    Book Review: Arab author shares his anecdotes living in the United Kingdom
    October 22, 2024
  • Columnist Ray Hanania at the ADC Convention in Dearborn with the author Susan Abulhawa
    Book Review: Mornings in Jenin bySusan Abulhawa
    September 14, 2024
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Television set and remote. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
    MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator
    February 24, 2025
  • ArabCon 2024 Gala Program features Dr. Cornel West, Macklemore, and more
    September 6, 2024
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2025 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme