This is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard USS Winston Churchill
DDG-81) to his parents. Churchill is an Arleigh Burke class AEGIS
guided missile destroyer, commissioned March 10, 2001, and is the only
active US Navy warship named after a foreign national.
Dear Dad,
We are still at sea. The remainder of our port visits have all been
canceled. 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.
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