NORFOLK, Va. – A ceremony at Virginia’s Naval Station Norfolk honored the 17 sailors who died during the terrorist attack on the USS Cole.

The ship’s bell tolled Monday morning for each sailor who died. The remembrance was held at Naval Station Norfolk near Virginia’s coast. A sailor from the destroyer read aloud each victim’s name and hometown. The crew lined up in dress blues on every deck and snapped a salute. A rifle squad fired a three-volley salute. The ship’s current captain told the families and old crew members that the 17 golden stars on the bulkhead by the ship’s mess line continue to inspire his crew.

Guest speakers included 17 Gold Star families of sailors who were killed as well as sailors who survived and helped to save the ship. The event included a wreath laying and a commemorative flyover.

Ringgold native Timothy Lamont Saunders, 32, an operations specialist 2nd class, was one of six Virginia casualties in the attack.

Timothy Saunders was the cousin of former Danville mayor and current city councilman Sherman Saunders. In an earlier interview, Saunders said “Anytime you have someone die, especially the way Timothy died, it elevates it to a level hard to explain and accept, especially if that person is wearing a uniform to defend the country.”

Mona Gunn said the pain of losing 22-year-old Cherone Gunn to the attack in October 2000 “never goes away.” “You’re not supposed to outlive your children,” she said. She added: “We don’t want people to forget the sacrifice that we’ve made by having the loss of a child serving our country.”

The Cole was attacked by suicide bombers in an explosives-laden boat while refueling at the Yemeni port of Aden.

Retired Adm. Rob Natter recalled how isolated the Cole’s sailors were right after the attack and how they were unsure if another attack was coming.

But he said the Cole’s sailors answered the call of duty that day. And “after two backbreaking, sweltering weeks, they got Cole underway, sending a clear unmistakable message … she left with her battle ensign flying high and our national anthem blaring … everyone in and around Aden Harbor knew that Cole was coming back.”

The country of Sudan recently agreed to pay a $30 million settlement to the 17 families of the victims. It was in an effort to get removed from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism.