[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the post and ping. This is awesome:

...on September 11, 2003, the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the US....as the two ships approached and passed, the entire crew of the German vessel stood top-side in full dress uniforms, holding their hats over their hearts. And as the ultimate gesture of respect, the FGS Niedersachsen was flying the United States flag from its main mast.

Allied troops.

 Thanks, Tonkin!

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[blackie]

Old Navy guy ~ Bump!

[MEG33]

Very touching.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[PhilDragoo]

This photo was taken by an ensign aboard the AEGIS destroyer USS Winston Churchill, the only active U.S. Navy warship named after a foreign national. The young officer sent the photo to his parents with this email [excerpted]:

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.

[windchime]

Good (and touching) story.