posted on September 28, 2001 02:21:38 PM new
I received this today as a forward and thought it was worth sharing.
You might want to grab a hanky before you read this.
[This is an e-mail from a crewmember stationed aboard the USS WINSTON
CHURCHILL. Note: "Manning the rail" is a shipboard ceremony usually reserved for
high-ranking dignitaries.]
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
don'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 good-bye.
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 bridgewing 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 different,
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.
