Fw: Ensign stationed aboard the USS Winston S Churchill
Posted by: dhaley <dhaley@...>
hubby is Navy and she thought I'd enjoy this email. I did and thought I'd
share it with every one....Deanna
> This is a great story! Proud to be a Navy family - the Bechtolds
>
>
> This is an e-mail from an Ensign stationed aboard the USS
> Winston Churchill, forwarded by a string of Navy friends.
>
> 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 much 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 Ship handling 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 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 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 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 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 un-secure 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.
>