

Thousands of sailors and civilians gathered in Yokosuka, Japan for a memorial service to honor the seven sailors who died aboard USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), according to U.S. 7th Fleet.

“More than 2,000 members of the Yokosuka community lined the streets waving flags and rendering salutes for the crew and their family members as they traveled the one-mile,” read a statement.

Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Adm. Scott Swift spoke at the ceremony.

These are excerpts from the June 27, 2017 Yokosuka, Japan memorial service for seven sailors who died aboard USS Fitzgerald on June 17, 2017. Speaking are Adm. Scott Swift, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet and Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, commander U.S. 7th Fleet. In Washington, D.C., acting Navy Secretary Sean Stackley issued instructions for the U.S. flag for “the National Ensign of the United States shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on 27 June 2017. As the Fleet strives to work through these trying times, we come together to honor the heroic efforts of our brave Sailors and international partners and support those currently standing the watch,” read a statement from the service.