I just got an e-mail from a young pilot that fly's SH-60B's off the USS
Hawes. Since there are a lot of ex-military on this list 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."
LT Landry USN
Larry Miller
http://www.ado13.com
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