Posted on 10/14/2001 4:55:53 AM PDT by Happygal
An American friend of mine made this post on another forum (www.irishabroad.com), and I thought I'd share it with you Freepers.
``A friend of mine, a soon to be retired Captain in the U.S. Navy, has a son who is a Junior Officer aboard the newly commissioned Guided Missle Destroyer, The U.S.S. Winston Churchill . He shared a letter with me that I thought was appropriate at this time : "We are still out at sea, with little direction as to what our next priority will be . The remainder of our port visits, which were to be centered around good will stops in the United Kingdom, have all but been cancelled. We have spent everday since the attacks, (WTC & Pentagon), going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high security watches , and trying to make the best of our time . "We have seen the articles and the photographs of the attacks, and they are sickening. Being isolated as we are, I don`t think that we can appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects. "Earlier, we got a call from the `Lutjens`, a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier in Plymouth, England. While we were still in port, we got together with the German Sailors for a sports day/cookout on our fantail, and we made some good friends. "Now, back out at sea, they called over to us on bridge to bridge, requesting to pass us 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 they he could see that they were flying an American flag. As they came aside, we could see that they were flying the Stars and Stripes at Half Mast, and the crew of the German ship were lining the rails in their dress blues. They had made up a sign that was displayed that read `We stand with 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 had to fight to retain our composure. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has been one of our rare highlights since the attacks. After the German warship pulled away, the Officer of the Deck turned to me and said, `I`m staying Navy`. And so am I ."
Very upstanding thing for the Germans to do.
I felt the same way when I heard and saw the Changing Of The Guard with them playing our National Anthem!
People are friendlier and more patient and gentle. I talk to strangers as never before. More and more, I feel the love, respect, and admiration--and strength and integrity--all around.
Come to think of it, President Bush set an example of this long before his election. I think such goodness comes directly from his heart.
The German destroyer Lutjens was originally the DDG28 Tolman. She was refitted by Howaldswerke at Kiel between 1984 and 1986.
During their refits the Tartar missiles were removed and replaced by a combination of Standard SM1 SAM and Harpoon SSM both firing through the Mk13 launcher. Two RAM CIWS were added.
The Lutjens were built in America as Adams class destroyers, but bought whilst still under construction. All have had their service lifes extended by refit, but are soon to be replaced by the Sachsen class air defence frigates.
I've kissed it myself, I have.
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