Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Cindy goes to her Ship today

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and aircraft from...Image via Wikipedia Good afternoon all. My daughter in the Navy Cindy starts her journey to her Ship the USS Abraham Lincoln today. Cindy joined the Navy March 2007 and has since completed Boot Camp at Great Lakes, then, FC-A-School also at Great Lakes, then FC CIWS C-School in San Diego and is now in Everett Washington. She leaves today. We are very proud of all that she has accomplished in the last year and a half. God bless you Cindy and good luck.


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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not so sure your source has his story right about how close we are to the brink of WWIII:

Peleliu Sailors and Marines Enjoy Swim Call and Steel Beach Picnic in Red Sea
Story Number: NNS080813-11
Release Date: 8/13/2008 3:51:00 PM


By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Sarah Bitter and Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Shannon Cassidy, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) enjoyed a well-deserved leisure time during a swim call and steel beach picnic Aug. 11 in the Red Sea.

Peleliu crew members, embarked staff and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed San Diego May 4 on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas of operation.

Those wanting to take part in the swim call had to take a 30-foot plunge from Peleliu's port aircraft elevator into the Red Sea. Jumping first into the water was Capt. Marcus A. Hitchcock, Peleliu's commanding officer.

"It was awesome," said Hitchcock. "I'm so glad we could take the time to do this in the Red Sea. We're lucky. I see a lot of happy faces, and it looks like everyone is having a great time."

The hundreds of Sailors and Marines who took part in swim call said it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

"This is an experience I had to have," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Adam Elswick. "Who else gets to do this?"

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class (AW) Andre Hardin from Peleliu's Air Department was excited for the opportunity.

"This is my sixth or seventh WestPac (Western Pacific deployment), and this is the first time I've ever been able to do this," said Hardin. "It was absolutely exhilarating."

Following swim call, the Sailors and Marines aboard Peleliu lined up for hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs and all the traditional foods of a steel beach picnic.

"This is a lot of fun boosting the morale of the crew," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Martin Malana, who helped serve up the food during the picnic. "It's just another day supporting the command, but it's nice to be out here in the middle of nowhere and being able to put something together like this to remind us all of home."

"This is a lot of fun," said Personnel Specialist 1st Class (SW) Michael Grimes, a chief petty officer selectee who also helped cook the food for the event. "I like doing this! This is my first week on board and it's exciting to have the chance to meet new people. I really enjoy being able to uplift the crew's morale."

Peleliu is the flag ship of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group and the 15th MEU which is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to conduct maritime security operations (MSO).

MSO help develop security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

For more news from USS Peleliu - Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/lha5/.

Anonymous said...

Best wishes to Cindy and to you, of course....
we appreciate all she's doing for our country.

John said...

Thank you. :)