Posted by TerryS on November 01, 2001 at 16:35:42:
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\ENOV2VYN\LUTGEN~1.JPG
Subject: This is definitely worth reading.
> >This is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard USS Winston Churchill to
his
> >parents. (Churchill is an Arleigh Burke class AEGIS guided missile
> >destroyer, commissioned March 10, 2001, and is the only active US Navy
> >warship named after a foreign national.).
> >
> >"Dear Dad,
> >
> >We are still at sea. The remainder of our port visits have all been
> >canceled. 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 it. We have seen the articles and the
> >photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated, 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, we were hailed by a German Navy destroyer, Lutjens,
> >requesting permission to pass close by our port side.
> >
> >Strange, since we're in the middle of an empty ocean, but the captain
> >acquiesced and we prepared to render them honors from our bridgewing. As
> >they were making their approach, our conning officer used binoculars and
> >announced that Lutjens was flying not the German, but the American flag.
> >As
> >she came alongside us, we saw the American flag flying half-mast and her
> >entire crew topside standing at silent, rigid attention in their dress
> >uniforms. They had made a sign that was displayed on her side that read
>"We
> >Stand By You." There was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed
> >alongside us for a few minutes and saluted. It was the most powerful
>thing
> >I have seen in my life. 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 half-century ago things were quite different.
> >After Lutjens pulled away, the Officer of the Deck, who had been
planning
> >to get out later this year, turned to me and said, "I'm staying Navy."
>I'll
> >write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but this is it for
> >now.
> >
> >Love you guys."
> >
> >(See attached file: LUTGEN~1.JPG)
