Stand tall, be proud, head tot he nearest pub and toss back a pint or two, or more with the returning sailors. You all deserve it!
Arizona
U.S.Army
Posted on 05/18/2003 7:14:51 AM PDT by knighthawk
AUSTRALIA'S sailors returning from the war against Iraq received a rousing welcome home in Fremantle yesterday.
Thousands of people lined the entrance to Fremantle Harbour and the docks to greet the 600 sailors from the frigates HMAS Anzac and HMAS Darwin, who had been away from home for seven months.
As the warships berthed there were loud cheers, cries of "I love you Daddy", Aussie flags, green and gold balloons and welcome-home placards.
A stirring rendition of I am, You are, We are Australian, sung by Able Seaman Tracey Burke, a RAN musician, brought tears to the eyes of sailors and their loved ones.
HMAS Anzac was the first Australian warship since the Vietnam War to fire its guns in anger, providing support for Coalition ground forces.
HMAS Anzac Captain Peter Lockwood spoke for all of Australia's troops who fought in Iraq when he said: "This is like Christmas. Seven months is a long time to be away from home. You just can't beat the hug and the kiss when you get back.
"This is a very emotional experience. Being away in the conflict in Iraq there were worries and fears. We were always thinking about our families back home."
Captain Lockwood's wife Linda of Fremantle summed up the emotions of those who waited patiently on the docks.
"I just can't believe that the day has finally come," she said with tears in her eyes.
"It's just the most amazing feeling to see him again. He's finally here. I know he'll be going away again in August, that's part of the navy, but we'll prepare for that. But it's good to have him home this time."
It was her husband's first experience of war.
"It was difficult . . . especially when you see on television that the guns have been fired for the first time."
Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove, said it was a special moment for him when the captain of HMAS Darwin, with an armful of children, looked him in the eye, shook his hand and said: "We did it boss. Mission accomplished."
"I endorse that," General Cosgrove said to loud applause.
Prime Minister John Howard said the navy had upheld the finest traditions of the defence force and Australians forever would remember what they did.
"You went in a just cause, you performed magnificently, you liberated an oppressed people and your nation is immensely proud of what you have done," Mr Howard said.
"You are not only greater fighters of war you are also great peacemakers and great conciliators."
Opposition Leader Simon Crean said the nation was united on welcoming home the troops.
The Prime Minister, General Cosgrove and other political leaders will officially welcome home members of the Special Air Service Regiment at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, today.
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FIRST HUG
HMAS Anzac crewman Peter Crack waited four incredibly long months to see his precious baby daughter.
Little Madalen came into the world in January while Dad was thousands of kilometres away on red alert for a war.
As his wife Marianne went into labour and gave birth to Madalen, Leading Seaman Crack was just another sailor – doing his job in the Gulf.
Yesterday at 12.30pm, as the WA-based frigate HMAS Anzac powered into Fremantle Harbour, Leading Seaman Crack's heart melted.
In a tearful reunion with his wife, he laid eyes on his baby daughter for the first time.
"Gee I hope she knows me," he said. "Six-and-a-half months is a long time to be away."
Despite being away for most of his wife's pregnancy and missing the birth, there was little time for bonding with his baby or spending time with his wife.
Leading Seaman Crack of Port Kennedy said that after 36 hours of shore leave, he was rostered to be back on duty aboard the ship on Monday.
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,6451483%255E948,00.html
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Joy as families reunited
SETTING eyes on his baby son – born just four weeks before he was deployed to the Gulf – HMAS Darwin's executive officer Commander Malcolm Wise was overcome with emotion.
As the 36-year-old from East Fremantle embraced his wife Keron and son Mackenzie, tears flowed. He said thoughts of his family sustained him on the seven-month mission.
"It's almost unbelievable to be back home," he said. "It seemed so long. I can't believe I'm finally here."
Mrs Wise said she had been counting down the days to her husband's return.
"We had just had Mackenzie and for Mal to go away was really hard," she said.
"The day he left was very emotional, I couldn't go down to see the ship off because it was too hard and it was the first time I saw Mal cry. Normally he's very strong but it really broke him up to leave."
Mrs Wise said she sent weekly parcels of photos, videos and even some of Mackenzie's clothes so her husband of four years could see his son grow up.
"I wanted him to see how big Mackenzie was getting because he would say it was hard for him to visualise him being any older than four weeks old," she said.
Also returning on HMAS Darwin yesterday was Rockingham father-of-five Able Seaman Peter Morgan.
The marine technician said he was determined to make up for lost time with his wife Sandy and children Brooke, 11, Chantelle, 8, Tianne, 6, Caleb, 5 and Brock, 2.
"A lot of time has been lost and I'll never get that back, so the time I have with them now will be very precious," he said.
He said the mission had given him a greater appreciation for the simple things in life.
"It's the things you don't take notice of, but for me it will mean so much just to be able to tuck them in bed tonight," he said.
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,6451514%255E2761,00.html
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It's Mother's Day
SIX-YEAR-OLD Maddy Higgs and older sister Jordan got their biggest wish yesterday – to hug their mum.
Petty Officer Julie Higgs, from Nowra, NSW, was the only mother on board HMAS Anzac and was reunited with her daughters after more than seven months apart.
"It's amazing to see them – they've grown," she said.
"It's been really difficult because it's been the longest time we've been apart.
"I made this decision (to go) for their future, but I won't do it again, not for that long."
Jordan, 11, said she was overjoyed to see her mother walking down the gangway. "We've been counting down the sleeps until she came home," she said.
Petty Officer Andrew Spencer, from Port Kennedy, was greeted by wife Leonie, sons Christopher, 7, Liam, 6, and Mitchell, 4, and father Tom, who travelled from Brisbane to see his son for the first time in four years.
"My wife was yelling out and waving a banner as we approached the dock and there certainly were a few tears in my eyes," he said.
Mrs Spencer said the past seven months had been the longest in her life.
"My father passed away while Andrew was gone so it's been very hard going through that by myself," she said.
"I've felt absolutely out of this world today."
Boatswain's Mate John Robertson got to see his five-month-old niece Jessica for the first time yesterday.
The 24-year-old from Sorrento hugged his girlfriend Louise Gislingham before cuddling his older sister's baby.
"I'm speechless really," he said. "It's great to be home. There's been butterflies in my stomach for about a week."
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,6451480%255E2761,00.html
Stand tall, be proud, head tot he nearest pub and toss back a pint or two, or more with the returning sailors. You all deserve it!
Arizona
U.S.Army
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