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Sunday - January 27, 2002 Beth is back!! She is home in Bremerton, WA. The USS Carl Vinson docked Wednesday afternoon in cold wet weather but it was the most beautiful day for anyone waiting on the pier or here in Iowa. Our sailor has come home to a Hero's Welcome. The Vinson has a very impressive record so far in Operation Enduring Freedom. We are so very proud of our daughter, Beth, the sailor. She called as often as she could while the ship was in the Arabian Ocean launching "birds" to make bombing runs on Afghanistan. I couldn't write about what they were doing and where she was doing it--but now I can. But almost everyone knew where the Vinson was since the news media made it there thing to tell the whole world just exactly where all our ships were located. Anyway, after the USS Stennis relieved the Vinson they started home. She called and told me they were on their way home. Oh my, that was the best day I had since 9-11. She called from Singapore where they spent Christmas Day. Then she called me when they were close to Hawaii and then after the docked. She (and friends) were on a bus going some where to eat. That day was even so much better then the Singapore call. She was on U. S. soil!! She was almost home. She called when they got to San Diego and I was doing cartwheels--well, trying to. That was homecoming number 2 for the ship but the big one was still to come. Bremerton, WA was getting ready to welcome home the Vinson in grand style. No one on the ship could tell you when they were coming in but we all knew! So Wednesday I was a nervous wreck waiting for her to call. I figured she would call after they docked and she was able to get off the ship. But she called 3 hours before they reached the dock and she sounded so good. We talked just a little and she told me she would call me back later. About the time they were to dock in Bremerton she called again and when I answered the phone she said, "Mom I am home! And I am COLD." We talked for just a couple minutes and she said she would call later that evening so she could talk to her Dad. After I hung up I cried like a baby and said a prayer of Thanks to God for bringing her home safe to us. I wished that I could put my arms around her and give her a hug and never let go but I can't do that but soon. She got her transfer she applied for so when her transfer date comes then I will hug her. Chris is going out in February for a couple days to see his sister and tour the ship and see just what she does. She decided she would give the trip to Chris for his birthday and Christmas present from her. He is really going to enjoy this trip as he has never been out of Iowa or on an airplane before. I wished I could fit in his carry-on! :O) |
