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Subject: Great letter home - Surface Navy Story
This is an e-mail from an Ensign stationed aboard the USS Winston
Churchill... (Sept. 2001)
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 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 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.
Love you guys.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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