E-mails From Europe

F.A.S.T. COMPANY
USS Winston S. Churchill &  her Allies
A letter from underway, after the tragedy
.
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.

September 14, 2001
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 shipwere 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 usfought to retain our composure. It was a beautiful day outside today. 
We are no longer atliberty 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.
    (anonymous)
     


Theo Dijkman, Holland 
The people of Holland pray for our American friends.
We're all very shocked !
From our heart we wish all those who are victimized very much strength.
Terrorism must be stopped at any cost.
Theo Dijkman
HONDENSPORT & SPORTHONDEN
( K-9 working dog magazine)
Uitgeverij TOPAAZ
Stationsplein 64a
3743 KM BAARN (NL)
tel. (035) 54 30 333 fax (035) 54 30 533
www.hondensport.com
 Holland, on Friday Sept. 14th at 12.00 hour exactly,
every Dutch citizen had a moment of silence for three minutes.
Also all Radio and TV broadcasting will stop for three minutes. The same for all traffic by trains.
The American Embassy in Holland has been overwhelmed by flowers which is still going on.
Theo Dijkman.

K-9 Officer Peter &  wife, Uschi Blissenbach, Germany 
Ich komme erst heute dazu dir zu antworten, wir haben die Bilder im TV gesehen CNN. Es ist eien große Trauer in uns bei Uschi
und auch bei mir. Wir können es einfach nicht fassen mit welcher Brutalität der Terrorismus unschuldige Menschen  zerstört.
Hier in Deutschland tauern viele Menschen mit unseren amerikanischen Freunden. Viele Blumen und
Kerzen werden an der amerikanischen Botschaft in Frankfurt /Main und in Berlin abgelegt. Die deutsche Regierung
hat jede Hilfe dem amerikanischen Volk angeboten. Alle Behörden sind in Deutschland geschlossen, die Fahnen stehen
auf Halbmast. Wir sind mit unseren Herzen und Gedanken fest an der Seite des amerikanischen Volkes.
Translated via Alta Vista:
I would come to answer first today in addition you, we saw the pictures in the TV CNN. It is with large sorrow
in Uschi and also with me. We cannot simply grasp it with which brutality of the terrorism innocent persons. Here in Germany
taverns many persons with our American friends. Many flowers and candles with American messages in Frankfurt, Mainz,
and Berlin. The german government offered to close each aid, all authority in Germany, the flags are half mast to the
American people. We are with our hearts and thoughts from this page to the American people. Sept. 14, 2001 -
over 200,000 people in Germany attended a memorial service inlcuding the U.S. Ambassador to Germany.
Peter & Uschi Blissenbach (Peter & Uschi also gave donations)

Constable Jim Slater - K-9 Storm - Canada 
We share your sorrow and support your definitive response
to the attack on America. May God bless you.
Jim

 Claude Marchal, Belgian Police Websites 
I would like to say that all our people feel with the American people in these difficult moments of horror and sorrow.
 Although a very small country of 10.000.000 inhabitants, we sent a medical team and a federal police team specialized
in disaster victims identification. As soon that the medical team as summarized what the needs there are,
an army airplane will bring the needed material.
I'm afraid we could not do more. Also the European countries, member of the NATO, have declared that this
unbelievable act was nothing else, but a war declaration and that they were at the side of the U.S.
 We had to wait long before to get the authorization to fly to there, but at least it came from the U.S. Government.
 To the family of the victims we expressed our condolences and words of courage
 claude.marchal@skynet.be

Laurent LECOMBLE, FRANCE 
Président du bureau Européen
Aillions toutes et tous une prière ou une pensée dans nos coeurs pour les milliers de victimes innocentes
ainsi que leurs familles et amis, n'oublions jamais le sacrifice fait par les centaines de sapeurs-pompiers,
et officiers de police disparus dans l'effondrement des tours alors qu'ils portaient secours aux victimes.
Translated
Let's all keep a prayer or good thought in our hearts for the thousands of innocent victims and their families and friends,
and we should never forget the sacrifice made by the hundreds of firefighters, and police officers feared lost in the collapse.
Laurent LECOMBLE
Président du bureau Européen

.Visit My Personal Website at      http://lecomble-k9cop.fr.st Visit My Association Website at  http://aecops.fr.st
My ICQ number 105770027.

This is from the former commander of Danish naval forces and DENMARK's 
 representative at NATO, FHV. vice admiral Jergen F. Bork, sent the letter below to a friend of mine & he is sharing with you.

12  September 2001
Dear Robert,
Your magnificent country, to which I owe so much, both priority spent in my long service career. has been the victim
of an unprecedented, brutal and meaningless act of terror, and my thoughts of grief goes to the American friends.
Please accept my sincere condolences. Your friend, Jergen.


 

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