Date: Tue, 09 Oct 2001 16:16:38 -42000
Subject:  Navy Letter
Better than a fly-by.
Regards --
Doug T.
> From: C, Steven P 
> Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 7:42 AM 
> To: T, Doug 
> Subject: Navy Letter 
 
 
 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 
 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.