a friend sent me this email. It made my day. Thought I'd pass it on...
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This is an message from an Ensign stationed aboard the
USS Winston S.Churchill (DDG 81).
Dear Dad,
Well, we are still out at sea, with little direction
as to what our next priority is. The remainder of our
port visits, which were to be centered around max
liberty and goodwill to the United Kingdom, have all
but been cancelled. We have spent every day since the
attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes
drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches,
and trying to make the best of our time.
It hasn't been that fun I must confess, and to be even
more honest, a lot of people are frustrated at the
fact that they either can't be home, or we won't have
more direction right now. We have seen the articles
and the photographs, and they are sickening.
Being isolated as we are, I don't think we appreciate the
full scope of what is happening back home, but we are
definitely feeling the effects. About two hours ago
the junior officers were called to the bridge to
conduct Shiphandling drills. We were about to do a man
overboard when we got a call from the LUTJENS(D185), a
German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier
in Plymouth, England.
While in port, the WINSTON S
CHURCHILL and the LUTJENS got together for a sports
day/cookout on our fantail, and we made some pretty
good friends. Now at sea they called over on
bridge-to-bridge,requesting to pass us close up on our
port side, to say goodbye.
We prepared to render them honors on the bridgewing,
and the Captain told the crew to come topside to wish
them farewell. As they were making their approach, our
Conning Officer announced through her binoculars that
they were flying an American flag. As they came even
closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast.
The connewing was crowded with people as the Boatswain's
Mate blew two whistles- Attention to Port- the ship
came up alongside and we saw that the entire crew of
the German ship were manning the rails, in their dress
blues. They had made up a sign that was displayed on
the side that read "We Stand By You".
Needless to say there was not a dry eye on the bridge
as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and we
cut our salutes. It was probably the most powerful
thing I have seen in my entire life and more than a
few of us fought to retain our composure.
It was a
beautiful day outside today. We are no longer at
liberty to divulge over unsecure e-mail our location,
but we could not have asked for a finer day at sea.
The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew,
and it has truly been the highest point in the days
since the attacks. It's amazing to think that only a
half-century ago things were quite di! fferent,and to
see the unity that is being demonstrated throughout
Europe and the world makes us all feel proud to be out
here doing our job.
After the ship pulled away and we
prepared to begin our man overboard drills the Officer
of the Deck turned to me and said "I'm staying Navy."
I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be
home, but for now, this is probably the best news that
I could send you.
Love you guys.
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... don't know about you, but it helped me put things into perspective.
peace,
tj