Re: [MV] FLOATING MV

From: Gene Pantano (truks@cs.quik.com)
Date: Mon Oct 01 2001 - 08:27:44 PDT


Her is a floating Military Vehicle story that will wet your eyes..
. It's from a Web site named TruthOrFiction.com, which has proven to be
reliable.

Cecil

The German Ship that gave Moving Tribute to Americans over Our Losses to
Terrorists-Truth!

Summary of eRumor:
This email is said to be from a Naval officer to his family. It tells of an
event that occurred shortly after the terrorist attack on the United States
on September 11, 2001. According to the Naval officer's email, his ship,
the USS Winston Churchill, was at an undisclosed location at sea when they
got a call from a German military ship named the Lutjens. The crews from
the American and German ships had spent some time together while both were
moored in Plymouth, England. The Lutjens asked to come along side of the
Winston Churchill, and as it did, the Americans saw a moving and spectacular
site. The German ship was flying an American flag at half-mast. Then they
saw that the entire crew of the German ship were "manning the rails" in
their dress blues. There was also a sign on the side of the German ship
that said, "We Stand By You." The email says there wasn't a dry eye among
the Americans.
The Truth:
This moving display of friendship between two military vessels is documented
on the web page for the USS Winston Churchill.

The USS Winston Churchill is a U.S. destroyer.

The FGS Lutgens is a German destroyer.

According to the U.S. Navy's explanation of "Naval Traditions,
Customs, & Etiquette," the practice of "manning the rails" sees crew members
stationed along the rails of a ship when dignitaries are honored such as a
President or head of state.
A real example of the story as it has been circulated:

This is a moving email from a naval officer at sea. For those of us who are
wondering what will happen next, this comes from an even more poignant
perspective. Keep the military present in your hearts and minds as they
await their duties.

If you haven't served aboard ship -- "manning the rail" is a shipboard
ceremony reserved for only high ranking dignitaries, such as Heads of State.

This is an e-mail from an Ensign stationed aboard the USS WINSTON CHURCHILL.

Dear Dad, Well, we are still out at sea, with little direction as to what
our next priority is. The remainder of our port visits, which were to be
centered around max liberty and goodwill to the United Kingdom, have all but
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 our time. It hasn't been that fun I
must confess, and to be even more honest, a lot of people are frustrated at
the fact that they either can't be home, or we don't have more direction
right now. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are
sickening. Being isolated as we are, 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 the junior officers were called to the bridge to conduct
Shiphandling drills. We were about to do a man overboard when we got a call
from the LUTJENS(D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the
pier in Plymouth, England. While in port, the WINSTON S CHURCHILL and the
LUTJENS got together for a sports day/cookout on our fantail, and we made
some pretty good friends. Now at sea they called over on bridge-to-bridge,
requesting to pass us close up on our port side, to say good-bye. We
prepared to render them honors on the bridgewing, and the Captain told the
crew to come topside to wish them farewell.

As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer announced through
her binoculars that they were flying an American flag. As they came even
closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast. The bridgewing was crowded
with people as the Boatswain's Mate blew two whistles- Attention to Port-
the ship came up alongside and we saw that the entire crew of the German
ship were manning the rails, in their dress blues. They had made up a sign
that was displayed on the side that read "We Stand By You." Needless to say
there was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few
minutes and we cut our salutes.

It was probably the most powerful thing I have seen in my entire life and
more than a few of us fought to retain our composure. It was a beautiful day
outside today. We are no longer at liberty to divulge over unsecure e-mail
our location, but we could not have asked for a finer day at sea. 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
a half-century ago things were quite different, and to see the unity that is
being demonstrated throughout Europe and the world makes us all feel proud
to be out here doing our job.

After the ship pulled away and we prepared to begin our man overboard drills
the Officer of the Deck turned to me and said "I'm staying Navy."

I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but for now, this
is probably the best news that I could send you. Love you guys.



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