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USO Canteen FReeper Style .......10-29-01
Graphic Artist Billie and Written by Snow Bunny
| October 29 ,2001
| Graphic Artist Billie and Written by Snow Bunny
Posted on 10/28/2001 11:16:15 PM PST by Snow Bunny
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To: daisyscarlett
Thanks, and you've not messed up even a little bit! I'm ready to start counting backward...if you know what I mean. If you get the decade right, that is a good thing. Thanks, Jim
161
posted on
10/29/2001 4:22:15 PM PST
by
lodwick
To: Snow Bunny; RaceBannon
Have you seen this WONDERFUL story? Apparently, it has been posted here MANY times - since it happened just a few days after 9/11, but I just read about it yesterday in a thread from RaceBannon. (Thanks, Race!)
To follow is the version posted on the official website of the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81):
USS Winston S. Churchill and her Allies
A letter from underway, after the tragedy
The following letter was written home by an Ensign aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, used here by permission:
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2001
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 Ship handling drills. We were about to do a man overboard drill when we got a call from the LUTJENS (D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier 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.
Photo by PH2 Shane McCoy/U.S. Navy We prepared to render them honors on the bridge wing, 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 bridge wing 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". Photo by PH2 Shane McCoy/U.S. Navy
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 us all 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.
Click on photo for hi-res version:
Photo by LT Mike Elliot/U.S. Navy High resolution picture |
|
162
posted on
10/29/2001 4:28:05 PM PST
by
RonDog
To: davidosborne; bosniajmc; Delta 21
To: Snow Bunny
164
posted on
10/29/2001 4:38:16 PM PST
by
lodwick
To: Billie
E-mail sent.apologize for babbleing on. Hope there is something you can use. Tet.
165
posted on
10/29/2001 4:52:08 PM PST
by
tet68
Comment #166 Removed by Moderator
Comment #167 Removed by Moderator
To: lodwick
lodwick, after the surgeon sliced open my hip, he took a hammer and chiseled 3 hunks of bone out of my hip and fused 3 disks in my neck using my hip bone. Then he put a steal plate in my neck to provide stability. The surgeon was very stern, and gave me reading material that explained how the grafts might not 'take' if the patient was a smoker. I do not want to endure this more than once in my life. After smoking since 1963, I quit. It has been painful, but an unsuccessful surgery would have been more painful.
On day two of the Quit Smoking Event, I sneeked some Skool from my sons can,,,, it was nasty stuff. That's when I went to the drug store and bought the Nicorette gum,,, it's pretty bad, too. Big Red Gum and Cinnamon Tic Tacs are my 'vice' of choice at the momment.
To: Iowa Granny
Deviled eggs and potato casserole...yum! Florida corn is just past season but still fine for roasting. We could set up a keg near the barbecue (to keep the Canteen floor clean). Snow Bunny and Billie should probably draw the line at mud wrestling, though...*giggle*.
You had recent back surgery? Let me add my belated prayers to the other Freepers.
I gave up smoking....and started up, again. Now I'd battle anyone who tried to take away my cigarettes or chocolate (just try, U/Osama!). (^:
To: coteblanche
LOL!
To: RonDog
Thank you, RonDog for reposting that wonderful story...I missed it the first time. Destined to become a classic.
Going to fetch kleenex again, I love that story...America should hear it- attention mainstream media!
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Thank you. I am on the mend and getting testy. I have not been allowed in a car since the surgery 7 wks ago. I am ready to go to the Mall,,,,,my family has kept me in chocolate, so I have not had to suffer that withdrawal.
To: Ragtime Cowgirl; Iowa Granny
You are so right on. If you've gott'em smok'em, if you don't, go out and gett'em! Now!
I have done all he quit'em thingies, from the acupunture(sp...screw it, it didn't work) to the nicorette,(made the fags taste sooo much better), to the Hell with it!
I give, you Native Americans get over, just let me have my $30 per carton fags. You win.
173
posted on
10/29/2001 5:36:50 PM PST
by
lodwick
To: Ragtime Cowgirl; Lyford; RedElephants; Vivaldi's Manifesto; Happygal; ModernDayCato; RaceBannon
174
posted on
10/29/2001 5:46:04 PM PST
by
RonDog
Tonkin, You've are on the watch! See you in the am. Have a ball, y'all. JL
175
posted on
10/29/2001 5:56:14 PM PST
by
lodwick
To: Billie
are there any cookies and milk left? Here ya go.
To: RonDog
God bless Freepers. Shows how lively this website is, all those posts and a Freeper addict still missed the story...so thanks for posting the story one more time. (^:
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Snow Bunny; Billie; Hillary's Lovely Legs
178
posted on
10/29/2001 6:05:47 PM PST
by
RonDog
To: ST.LOUIE1
Clarity was here for a long time - he used to represent FR as their attorney; he left a few months ago. One of his favorite phrases was, "You need rest." He was one of the original "Freeper Island" inhabitants. Funny guy. Some miss him; some don't, like it is whenever anyone leaves. :^)
So, we gonna dance, or what?
179
posted on
10/29/2001 6:07:43 PM PST
by
Billie
To: tet68
I loved the email - and all the pictures - that little Vietnamese girl is about the prettiest thing I've ever seen. I'm going to have to post it on here. Thanks, tet, for "babbling". :^) I'll use some of it for sure!
180
posted on
10/29/2001 6:18:19 PM PST
by
Billie
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