story9434.xml

story9434.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-08-24

My name is Scott. At the time of September 11th, I was a Deck Seaman aboard the USS Benfold(DDG-65), fresh off our secopnd visit to Hawai'i and was three days away from the end of our six month deployment. I awoke early(as all sailors at sea do)to get some chow so I could relieve the helmsman watch on the bridge. Exactly one half-hour after revielle, the plan of the day is relayed over the 1MC(PA) system. What was intresting this time was the XO(Executive Officer, Second in Command) coming on saying that they are getting confirmation on an event. The XO doesn't give briefs on the 1MC, especially in the morning. I don't remember his words exactly, but I do remember him telling us it was the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon and that another plane was down in Pennsylvania, my home state. Needless to say, we were all dismayed. My first thought was "They finished the job", thinking of the terrorists that tried and failed the first time in '95. My thoughts drifted to retaliation, since this target killed thousands, which is an act of war. Most of us wanted to go home, but after hearing the news with our ship full of missles we didn't shoot, a great deal of us wanted to turn back. And we knew only one guy could have done it.
Soon after that, they receieved a video from the Constellation(the carrier we were attached to) of feed from CNN that showed what happened. We just couldn't believe it.
Later on, I had to take some reports to the Captain that day and he asked me how I was doing. I said,"Sir, I am just sad that someone attacked our country, Sir". He said
with determination "We will avenge".
We sadly didn't turn back. We went home on September 15th as planned to a foggy San Diego. It felt odd. All we got was a plastic "lei" around our ship, which signifies the end of our deployment, our "Welcome Back Home" greeting. Except this time, no one was there on the pier to greet us with happiness.
Later on, I felt such warmth. I got to go out into San Diego and what did I see? I saw so many homes, so many storefronts filled with American flags.
Back in the Gulf, during those long hot days, I wondered what would make Americans proud again. I knew. A war that we could morally stand behind. I am sorry that is what it took, but I haven't felt more patriotic since that time.