---------------------- Forwarded by David W Bradbury/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell
on 09/28/2001 08:56 AM ---------------------------
David S Melahn
09/28/2001 08:07 AM
To: David W Bradbury/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, Jim A
Craver/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, tjgerow@yahoo.com, Rohan O
Kennedy/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, Dave P
MacVicar/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, Adam B
Maki/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, Marty G
Midura/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, William M
Pelchat/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, Bryan L
Roth/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, Duane P
Stevens/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, Fred G
Stevens/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell, Michael
Tischbein/Milwaukee/RA/Rockwell@Rockwell
cc:
Subject: [Fwd: Go Navy]
This is an e-mail from an Ensign stationed aboard the USS Winston
Churchill...
I received this from a friend. I think it says a lot about the unity
we share in this world. What an honor for this crew!
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 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
Shiphandling drills. We were about to do a man over! board when we got a
callfrom the LUTJENS(D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on
thepier 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 bridgewing, 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 bridgewing 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 unsecure 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 usall 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.
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