JOR_EL
Silver Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2001
- Messages
- 242
- Tractor
- JD4700 HST w/mods. SUPERBABY
Hi everybody,
I haven't been active on TBN for awhile, but thought you all might appreciate reading this message from one of our ships. It was forwarded to me by my cousin, who is U.S. Navy retired.
Hope all are well, and am sure we're standing together re. recent events!
Larry
A YOUNG NAVY ENSIGN SERVING ON BOARD THE USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG 81),
AN AMERICAN GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER SOMEWHERE AT SEA.
Subject: Attention to Port
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 effect. 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 had been moored ahead of us at
the pier in Plymouth, England.
While in port, the crews of 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 bridge wing,and the Captain told the crew to come topside to
wish them farewell. As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer
announced that through her binoculars she could see that they were flying an
American flag.
As they came even closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast. The bridge
wing 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 minute 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.
HOOK'EM
PAT CRANE
I haven't been active on TBN for awhile, but thought you all might appreciate reading this message from one of our ships. It was forwarded to me by my cousin, who is U.S. Navy retired.
Hope all are well, and am sure we're standing together re. recent events!
Larry
A YOUNG NAVY ENSIGN SERVING ON BOARD THE USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG 81),
AN AMERICAN GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER SOMEWHERE AT SEA.
Subject: Attention to Port
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 effect. 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 had been moored ahead of us at
the pier in Plymouth, England.
While in port, the crews of 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 bridge wing,and the Captain told the crew to come topside to
wish them farewell. As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer
announced that through her binoculars she could see that they were flying an
American flag.
As they came even closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast. The bridge
wing 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 minute 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.
HOOK'EM
PAT CRANE
