In October of 2012 I was invited to the USS Laffey where I met Sonny Walker, President of the USS Laffey Association. He was visiting, along with about twenty other Laffey Veterans, for a week long work detail, which they schedule about four times a year. These men give of their own time and come from all over the country to work on and maintain the ship on which they served and they love. The Laffey is known as "The ship that would not die", because of the incredible kamikaze and bomb damage it sustained without sinking during a famous WWII Naval battle off Okinawa. It is explained in the video.
Thanks to Sonny and the Laffey Veterans for what they did and what they continue to do. Thanks also to all the volunteers and personnel at Patriots Point who have created a first class museum experience.
UPDATE: October 2023 The USS Mansfield Association, DD-728, had their 2023 reunion in Charleston, SC. They were welcomed for a day of activities on the USS Laffey by Laffey crew members in town for one of their many work parties. The Mansfield was built just four ships after the Laffey, so most everything was easily recognizable for the Mansfield crew. One of the highlights of a Laffey visit is the video in gunmount 53, which was destroyed by the kamikazes and where many sailors lost their lives. It recreates what it might have been like to be there on that day. Unfortunately, the video was not working when the USS Mansfield crew visited, so it is posted here for all to see. Additional videos were added to this page, including CIC Combat Information Center Exhibit video, the dedication of a memorial plaque and tree and a Smithsonian video showcasing the USS Laffey.
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