Time Machine: Look what we've lost

[Fire Walk With Me]

From an email I received on Thu, 1 Nov 2001.

> PLEASE READ THE STORY BELOW THE PICTURE BEFORE YOU OPEN THE PICTURE.


> > This is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard USS Winston Churchill 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."
> >
> > <<lutgenspic.jpg>>
>