The state of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ has recognized June 28 as Naval Special Warfare Day in memory of June 28, 2005, the day of the largest loss of life in a single day in U.S. Navy SEAL history.
A ceremony will be held at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, June 28, 2010, to commemorate the event. This day marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic day when 11 Navy SEALs gave their lives in the name of freedom.
In June 2005, a four-man Navy SEAL team was inserted into the high mountains of Northern Afghanistan and after their position was compromised were surrounded and pinned down by enemy fire from more than 100 Taliban fighters.
On June 28, 2005 an eight-man SEAL team boarded a helicopter to come to the aid of their fellow Navy SEALs but as they reached their target an enemy rocket-propelled grenade struck and completely destroyed the helicopter.
Among those that made the ultimate sacrifice that day was Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan, a native of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥. Born and raised in New Orleans, Chief Petty Officer Fontan graduated from Brother Martin High School, attended the University of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ at Lafayette and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1989.
After nine years of active duty with the U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer Fontan was accepted to Navy SEAL training where he graduated with BUD/S Class 219. Upon his untimely death, he was a member of Navy SEAL Team 10, which is based in Little Creek, Virginia.
House Concurrent Resolution No. 88 was authored by Representative Juan LaFonta and passed during the 2010 regular session. With this Resolution the Legislature of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ recognizes June 28 annually as Naval Special Warfare Day in the state of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥.
The public is invited to join representatives of the Naval Special Warfare Foundation, the UDT-SEAL Association, active duty and retired Navy SEALs, family members and Representative LaFonta for a ceremony to commemorate the first Naval Special Warfare Day to be held at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥, Monday, June 28, 2010 at 10 a.m.