An encounter one
of our ships (US) had recently at sea, don't know if you'd be interested in it
or not. Per my book "Naval Forces of the World" by Christopher
Chant, this ship is a Adams class destroyer, built for the west German navy in
1969.
AN ENCOURAGING WORD
Below is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard the 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 U.S. 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."
And here's a picture of what that scene looked like:
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