Here comes the GW.
It's been a long-awaited arrival after many local Japanese protests and an onboard fire in May, but the USS George Washington arrived safely in Yokosuka today, replacing the USS Kitty Hawk.
Here I watched briefly from base this morning as it slipped through the haze and into the harbor. The sailors were almost home and their families were lining up for a ceremony and celebration. I steered clear of that area, but throughout the day around base it was touching to see the telltale signs of many Navy families reunited: crisp uniforms and stuffed sea bags, hand-holding, and the more obvious "welcome home" balloons and banners. It made me pause to appreciate the challenges of all those spouses setting up a home alone and having to escort his/her spouse off the ship to that new home today.
But still I have to wonder how thousands of other military families ever assimilated without the new base signage, welcome community picnics, and special NEX sales marking our arrival to CFAY. Just an observation. Makes me feel more like mashed potatoes than bacon, I guess, if I read too much into it.
9 comments:
What you stayed in the navy lodge more than 8 and 1/2 days! You did not get your housing evaluation before you left your previous duty station. No one here is bitter!
You're KIDDING me! I didn't even know that and I was already bitter. Yes, we stayed in the Navy Lodge 5 long weeks...but maybe I wouldn't have met you if I hadn't. The silver lining...
How about when an entire class at the local elementary school makes "Welcome Home Daddy" cards? I'm just glad DH came home for a visit around the same time or my kid would have been devasted.
Umm....Hello...not every family stationed in Yokosuka is connected to the carrier. Urgh!!!
I'm so glad you blogged about this...I was feeling pretty selfish!
Oh, I love this one!!! Do you mind if I send a link to CAPT Weed and Admiral Kelly????
Oh, Diane, so true!!! I felt the same way when I saw all of the sales, signs, etc and free eats on base. And of course, the housing preference...
Wow, I should've gotten "controversial" a long time ago to arouse my readers so they comment! All valid and maddening points, ladies! And with any luck, public affairs will pick up my blog entry since *one* of you entered the likely search words "Kelly" and "Weed"...just hope they don't hold it against Brian!
"mashed potatoes" yes, that's what we feel like sometimes being the red-headed stepchild to the Fleet (Medical). You're so funny Diane. :)
"They" can't hold it against Brian and you didn't write anything one of Brian's senior colleagues did not tell "them" daily starting nine months before the GW got there. I'm just trying to make life a little more interesting for all those bored young sailors who joined the Navy to eavesdrop on evil doers and got tasked with reading The Wall Street Journal every morning instead. Not that The Wall Street Journal isn't an interesting read, at least lately, but I think those sailors will find the exploits of Sydney and Miranda in Japan a welcome addition to their days.
What they don't realize is that with all the hand holding for THOSE families (granted a few of them wanted to be here) the first time there is a problem they will fall to pieces because they don't know where to go and find the answers. And most of all they have missed out on the friendships that somehow last through your life that you get from the lodge experience, as well as the tools to cope! WOW And your friend is right, not every family is attached to the Gee Whiz!
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