NORFOLK -- 22 years ago today, 47 sailors died in the explosion of gun turret #2 aboard USS Iowa.
The victims' families and former crewmembers will gather at Iowa Point on Naval Station Norfolk this morning to mark the somber anniversary.
In all, about 100 people were expected at the 9:45 a.m. ceremony. At the site of a memorial for the 47 shipmates, tributes will be paid and the sailors' names will be read.
The blast aboard the Norfolk-based ship occurred as the crew conducted gunnery practice near Puerto Rico.
