In honor of Memorial Day 2025, we remember a fallen hero with deep San Diego roots
San Diego native Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer was born on March 12, 1978, in National City, California. She received her education in the San Diego area, attending Horton Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High School, and graduating from San Diego High School in 1997. Known for her outgoing personality and warm spirit, Lakiba was deeply involved in her community and school activities, participating in track and field, basketball, drill team, and the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.
Lakiba’s dream from a young age was to serve her country in the United States Navy. She achieved this goal on October 10, 1997, shortly after graduating high school. On February 18, 1998, she married Avinesh Kumar, and from this union came a beautiful daughter, Preshilla Caprice Kumar. Lakiba was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and granddaughter, sharing an especially close bond with her grandmother, Estella Mae Harrington.
On October 12, 2000, at approximately 11:18 a.m. local time, the USS Cole (DDG-67), a guided-missile destroyer, was attacked while refueling in the port of Aden, Yemen. Two suicide bombers approached the ship in a small boat packed with explosives and detonated alongside the vessel, creating a 40-by-60-foot hole in the port side of the ship.
The attack claimed the lives of 17 American sailors, including 22-year-old Seaman Lakiba Palmer, and injured 39 others. The bombing of the USS Cole was one of the deadliest attacks against a U.S. Naval vessel since the 1987 Iraqi attack on the USS Stark. Intelligence investigations later linked this tragedy to Al-Qaeda, signaling a troubling escalation in terrorist tactics against U.S. military personnel abroad. The USS Cole bombing stands as one of the most significant strikes against American naval forces in the years leading up to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
In recognition of her ultimate sacrifice, Lakiba’s memory has been preserved in meaningful ways throughout San Diego:
This Memorial Day, Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will honor Seaman Palmer and her 16 fellow sailors who perished aboard the USS Cole with a special plaque dedication, marking the 25th anniversary of this tragic event.
Lakiba will always be remembered for her warm, caring, and giving spirit. Her commitment to community service, her devotion to her family, and her dedication to serving her country exemplify the highest ideals of service and sacrifice.
As we honor her memory, we recall the words from her memorial service: “We love Lakiba, but God loved you best, so sleep our Angel and take your rest.”
Through our remembrance and the permanent honors established in her name, Seaman Lakiba Nicole Palmer’s legacy continues to inspire our community and remind us of the profound sacrifices made by those who serve our nation.
The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial stands as a place of honor for veterans like Seaman Palmer. We invite you to visit the memorial and pay tribute to her and the thousands of other brave men and women who have served our country.
Resources
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