Posted by Victor on November 01, 2001 at 18:47:52:
In Reply to: Definitely worth reading posted by TerryS on November 01, 2001 at 16:35:42:
the author was a son of a friend of hers, better 3rd degree my sister.
"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
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 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 in the Navy."
I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but this is it for now.
Love you guys."