>
> >
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: USS COLE
> > Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 22:25:26 -0700
> > > Subject: USS COLE
> > > >
> > > > I just got an e-mail from a good friend of mine who flys SH-60B's
off
> > > >the
> > > >USS Hawes. I thought you might like to read it.
> > > >
> > > > "It wasn't until a few days ago though, that we started doing
> > > >something that
> > > >I feel may be the first thing I've seen in my short Naval career that
> > > >has
> > > >truly made a difference. Right now we're supporting the USS COLE and
> > > >her
> > > >crew in Aden. When the attack occurred we were a day away. Just by
> > > >luck we
> > > >happened to be on our way out of the Gulf and headed towards the Suez
> > > >and
> > > >could get here in a relatively short amount of time. I know what you
> > > >all
> > > >have seen on CNN, because we have seen it too. I just want you all to
> > > >know
> > > >that what you see doesn't even scratch the surface. I'm not going to
> > > >get
> > > >into it for obvious reasons. But I will tell you that right now there
> > > >are
> > > >250+ sailors just a few miles away living in hell on Earth. I'm
> > > >sitting in
> > > >a nice air conditioned state room, they're sleeping out on the decks
> > > >at
> > > >night. You can't even imagine the conditions they're living in, and
> > > >yet they
> > > >are still fighting 24 hours a day to save their ship and free the
> > > >bodies of
> > > >those still trapped and send them home. As bad as it is, they're
> > > >doing an
> > > >incredible job. The very fact that these people are still functioning
> > > >is
> > > >beyond my comprehension. Whatever you imagine as the worst, multiply
> > > >it by
> > > >ten and you might get there. Today I was tasked to photo rig the ship
> > > >and
> > > >surrounding area. It looked so much worse than I had imagined,
> > > >unbelievable
> > > >really, with debris and disarray everywhere, the ship listing, the
> > > >hole in
> > > >her side. I wish I had the power to relay to you all what I have
> > > >seen, but
> > > >words just won't do it. I do want to tell you the first thing that
> > > >jumped
> > > >out at me - the Stars and Stripes flying. I can't tell you how that
> > > >made me
> > > >feel...even in this God forsaken hell hole our flag was more
beautiful
> > > >than
> > > >words can describe. Then I started to notice the mass of activity
> > > >going on
> > > >below, scores of people working non-stop in 90 plus degree weather to
> > > >save
> > > >this ship. They're doing it with almost no
> > > > electrical power and they're sleeping (when they can sleep) outside
> > > >on the
> > > >decks because they can't stand the smell or the heat or the darkness
> > > >inside.
> > > >They only want to eat what we bring them because they're all scared
of
> > > >eating
> > > >something brought by the local vendors. Even with all that, the USS
> > > >COLE and
> > > >her crew is sending a message guys, and it's that even acts of
> > > >cowardice and
> > > >hate can do nothing to the spirit and pride of the United States. I
> > > >have
> > > >never been so proud of what I do, or of the men and women that I
serve
> > > >with
> > > >as I was today. There are sixteen confirmed dead sailors who put it
> > > >on the
> > > >line for all of us, and some of them are still trapped here. Please
> > > >take a
> > > >minute to pray for their families and say a word of thanks for their
> > > >sacrifice - one made so that we can
> > > >live the lives that we do. All of you that serve with me, thank you.
> > > >All of you that have loved ones that serve, thank you."
> > > >
> > > >Please feel free to pass this on to those you think will appreciate
> > > > it.
> > > >
> > > > LT Landry"
> > > >
> > >
> > >
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> >
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