Hope this isn't a repost. If it is, I apologize. Its a very moving letter and its impossible to not get emotional after reading it.
This is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard USS Winston Churchill (DDG-81) 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 Navy." I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be
home, but this is it for now.
Love you guys."
This is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard USS Winston Churchill (DDG-81) 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 Navy." I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be
home, but this is it for now.
Love you guys."
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