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<< Previous   of   Next >> Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald  (click to enlarge) USS Momsen sailor and new dad James Vinocur cradles his daughter, Savana, 5 months, who was born while he was at sea. Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Teresa Hudson (center) of Redding, Calif., runs to hug her son Matthew Hudson (right) as he steps off the USS Lincoln. Teresa Hudson was selected as one of the lucky Lincoln family members who got to give the first hugs. Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Betty VandeGriend (left) of Oak Harbor; grandson Isaiah, 6; and daughter-in-law Sonja (right) watch from the pier as the USS Abraham Lincoln first comes into view in Port Gardner Bay. The family was waiting for the arrival of Lt. Cmdr. Nick VandeGriend, assistant navigator on the Lincoln. (click to enlarge) USS Momsen sailor Mary Joe Rifenburgh sees her children, Liam, 13 months, and Angelina, 4, for the first time since June. Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Kim Oakes (left) of Snohomish greets her husband, Lt. Ben Oakes, weapons officer on the USS Shoup. The Shoup returned to Naval Station Everett after a seven-month deployment. It was the second of three ships to return to Everett on Sunday following deployment to support military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald  (click to enlarge) John Swenson of Granite Falls admires a welcome home sign from his son Keith Swenson, 5. John Swenson was aboard the USS Shoup, which returned to Everett on Sunday.  Photo Gallery: Ships return to Everett   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, October 13, 2008 Welcome home, sailors By Justin Arnold Herald Writer EVERETT -- It may have rained at their departure, but there was sunshine on the USS Lincoln Strike Group's return. After a seven-month tour that included the Persian Gulf, the Lincoln Strike Group has come home. The USS Lincoln, USS Momsen and USS Shoup returned Sunday after supporting military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They were greeted by nearly 5,000 family members and friends who descended upon Naval Station Everett. For those who were there, it was a homecoming to remember. "When Brandon comes home from a long tour like this it's like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's and my birthday all in one," Jessica Brooks of Marysville said. "I'm thankful he's home. We're all thankful they are all home, finally." Brooks is a Navy wife. That's not just a marital arrangement, but in her words a "rear-admiral" job responsible for keeping the homefront secure while her husband helps keep the world secure. Married for four years, she still isn't sure what her husband does on the USS Lincoln. "It's embarrassing that I don't know, but it's not important. What is important is that I'm here waiting for him," she said. The crowd surged toward the USS Lincoln when the gangplank was finally lowered and an enthusiastic voice came across a loudspeaker, announcing "Carrier Lincoln departing." Sailors disembarked quickly. Each stopped and came to attention at the foot of the gangplank to deliver a smart salute to the ship and her command before setting foot on dry land. Homecomings are full of naval traditions. "Tigers," as the Navy refers to them, are civilian family members that are allowed to sail with their Navy family member during the last leg of the journey back to home port -- in this case, from Hawaii. Tigers are easy to spot among the dress uniforms. They bring aboard all sorts of electronic toys -- computer monitors, Guitar Hero boxes -- and lend a festive air. As civilians disembark, sailors walk up the gangplank to go aboard. Replacement crews are ready to take over for USS Lincoln crew members so they can enjoy their two-week liberty. According to Lt. Cmdr. Kathy Sandoz, it is a well-deserved vacation for the 3,000 sailors. "Aircraft operations supporting military units on the field were nearly nonstop with over 7,100 sorties in Iraq and Afghanistan," she said. The carrier with its complement of F/A-18s warplanes flew multiple missions for U.S. and international security forces. The USS Momsen and USS Shoup were deployed with the French navy in the Gulf of Oman, where the pair of destroyers "kept the peace." "Pirates are rife in the area, and attacks on oil platforms risk the area's infrastructure. With coalition partners, we are able to give stability to the region," Sandoz said. "The more stable the region, the more business will be attracted to the area. Security and safety are paramount." The USS Lincoln is scheduled to depart to Naval Station Bremerton in April for maintenance -- including a really big oil change. Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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