By Bill Grace
Special to The Herald
One of my students, IT1 Fox, just received a promotion to his new rank. It is times such as these that should be shared with one’s family — in his case, his sweet smiling wife.
But the rear deck of the USS Decatur (DDG 73) was filled with solely his at-sea family. There were about 30 other recipients of assorted promotions and awards.
Surrounding them were the officers, chiefs and fellow sailors applauding and whistling each presentation. But surely the silence of the proud hands that weren’t there to cheer them on was also audible.
Duty, be that what it may, can give purpose to one’s absence, but moments unshared with loved ones can be only just another story to be told later in life.
As a computer tech, Fox has been able to take some of his family photos and turn them into his screensaver. These photos fill the screen as a reminder of a love that is many miles away. And in those darker times, the computer screen serves as a beacon home, if only shining to his heart.
I can’t imagine how many times a day that scene repeats itself here. Scattered throughout the ship are workstations where sailors can retrieve their e-mail.
There is an assortment of advantages in the modern Navy, and not having to wait weeks to get letters of endearment and pictures from home is definitely one of the sweeter perks.
As we read our e-mail from home, my new friends in the engineering department are sharing their thoughts.
Maybe this is the bleeding point. Before any deployment so much is necessary and required of each crewmember in his or her dual role as a Navy professional and a real world family member.
Satisfying either responsibility would be tough. Place on top of that the urgency of deploying two months earlier than planned and a focused rush takes effect.
Now, as order settles in onboard the Decatur, each person is finding time to lament the loved ones left behind.
Chief Dan Pike is excited about his 9-month-old son who started walking the day after he shipped out. You could almost see him holding his hands out to guide the young tyke as he was telling me the story.
It is obviously tough leaving behind his wife and three children. Pictures can only capture the moment. The first steps of a child, their first words, their laughter in their mother’s arms, those things don’t come by e-mail, and they are gone faster than the speed of light.
Bill Grace of Everett has been sending periodic dispatches from aboard the USS Decatur during its deployment. This one arrived before his recent return from working on board as a U.S. government teacher in the Program Afloat College Education.
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