King_Neptune
Founder
This brought a tear to my eye... It is truly amazing
how many walls have dropped because of one attack. The
unfortunate part is that many more have risen. But at
least there is still the hope that everything will
work out.
Below is a letter from a crewman aboard the USS Sir
Winston Churchill to his parents. The Churchill is
the only active US Navy ship that is named after a
foreign national. At the bottom is web address for a
photo of the Lutjens taken from the Churchill.
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."
And here's a picture of what that scene looked like:
Photo
how many walls have dropped because of one attack. The
unfortunate part is that many more have risen. But at
least there is still the hope that everything will
work out.
Below is a letter from a crewman aboard the USS Sir
Winston Churchill to his parents. The Churchill is
the only active US Navy ship that is named after a
foreign national. At the bottom is web address for a
photo of the Lutjens taken from the Churchill.
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."
And here's a picture of what that scene looked like:
Photo
