Dozens of people turned out Wednesday in Somers to mark the 50th anniversary of the explosion of the USS Westchester County during the Vietnam War.

The vessel transported troops and supplies between Okinawa, Japan, and Vietnam. Explosives were hidden underneath it 50 years ago on Oct. 31, killing 25 U.S. servicemen. It was the largest loss of life in a single incident in the Vietnam War in the Navy.

At the memorial in Lasdon Park, bagpipes played as each of the names of the servicemen who lost their lives was read.

Keith Duffy, a 20-year-old from Yonkers, was one of the men killed that day. He had only been on the ship for five weeks. Duffy's brother was on hand for the ceremony and told News 12 that he believes you die three times: Once when you take your last breath, then when they bury you and when people stop mentioning your name. Keith's brother said he is grateful that people still remember his brother.