A memorial service marking the 41st anniversary of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision was held at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg, Florida Thursday.
“It’s an honor to be able to hold this event each year in remembrance of our lost shipmates,” said Capt. Matthew Thompson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, in a release.
The Blackthorn collided with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 50 Blackthorn crewmembers.
“It’s important that we pay tribute to them not only in ceremony, but in our continued efforts of properly training our Coast Guardsmen to provide the public with the best service possible on our nation’s waters,” added Thompson.
The ceremony included a flyover by Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, a wreath-laying, an honor platoon representing each Blackthorn victim, laying of roses and a gun salute.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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