Jan. 9, 2009
BZ: On Dec. 16, Ikego Elementary School had a field trip to sing Christmas carols on the ships on pier 7. Each class went to a different ship and the parents where told to just meet the classes at pier 7 and follow their respective class to whichever ship they went to. I got stuck in traffic and by the time I arrived at the pier, my daughter’s class was gone. Stopping at every gate, I asked the active duty Sailors if they happened to know which classes had gone through their gates, and none of them knew. I was frustrated and upset at missing the caroling, until I stopped at the last gate, the USS John S. McCain and another ship (I can’t remember the name) were docked there. The two petty officers at the gate were extremely nice and polite. They went way out of their way to help me. When I got to the ship that was berthed opposite of the McCain, another Sailor carried my baby stroller up the brow for me, and everyone on duty at the quarter deck was helpful and friendly. I cannot tell you how much that meant to a frazzled mother with a young child in tow! I just wanted to say thank you for all your help and caring, even though I missed the singing, I left knowing that my safety and freedom are in the hands of men and woman like the ones I dealt with that day, and it makes me feel very proud. Bravo Zulu!