| We Get Letters! |
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| E-mail from our alumni! We'd like to share some with you... |
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| Where were you on September 11, 2001? September 11th had an impact on many people near and far. What were you doing that day? |
| Date: 10/10/01 From: CKing897@aol.com (Colleen Oates King) To: Garvoon@aol.com Gary, I took that cruise to Alaska I told you about and was on my way out of Juneau and cruising toward Skagway when the attacks occurred. I woke up at about 5:30am to the sound of the Captain announcing a National Emergency. Thought for sure we hit an iceburg and were sinking. Not a great thought at that time of the morning I want to tell you. Anyway, I opened the door and everyone was in the hallway trying to listen and understand what was happening. Turned on the tv just in time to see the second plane hit the tower and I was in shock. It was like watching a movie. Total disbelief, people were crying and hugging each other in the hallway. I just wanted to get the vacation over and come home. When we got into ports, we were told most of the shore excursions were cancelled, especially those that included flying, as all aircraft were grounded. Security was intense whenever we left or returned to the ship and they were searching everything. When we finally arrived back in Vancouver, they told us our flights were cancelled and that Royal Caribbean had booked a block of rooms for us at the Hyatt and they would pay for everything as long as we were there. Not a bad place to be if you have to be stuck somewhere, but I still just wanted to get home. The ship lost my luggage for 4 days, (all my clean stuff) so I had to buy some new things and just wait it out. We finally got a flight out 6 days later and although I was happy about leaving there, I must admit, I was terrified to get on that plane. Made it back to Tampa ok, just a little shook up because of bad weather over Dallas. Love, Colleen Class of 1968 ______________________________________________________________________________ Hi Colleen, I guess I never thought of what it would be like to hear news of that magnitude aboard a cruise ship. It must have been very intense for you. My sister and sister-in-law were on their way back from Ft. Meyers and landed in Charlotte, NC for the connecting flight to Washington on September 11. As they exited the plane, there was much ado in the terminal about the first attack. She boarded the next flight about the time of the second attack. They taxied only to pronptly return to the terminal because of the groundings. It wasn't until that following Friday that they were able to rent a car and head back home. I'm really glad you made it back safe and sound. Gary |
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| The following is a little bit off the beaten path, but it is one of the most moving gestures I've had the pleasure of learning about since the tragedy. It's an e-mail from a young ensign aboard the USS Winston Churchill to his parents. ______________________________________________________________________________ Dear Dad, We are still at sea. The remainder of our port visits have all been cancelled. We have spent every day at sea 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 it. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they were sickening. Being isolated, 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, we were hailed by a German Navy destroyer, Lutjens, requesting permission to pass close by our port side. Strange, since we're in the middle of an empty ocean, but the captain acquiesced and we prepared to render them honors from our bridgewing. As they were making their approach, our conning officer used binoculars and announced the the Lutjens was flying not the German, but the American flag. As she came alongside us, we saw the American flag flying at half-mast and her entire crew topside standing at silent, rigid attention in their dress uniforms. They had made a sign that was displayed on her side that read, "We Stand By You." There was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and saluted. It was the most powerful thing I have ever seen in my life. 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 is amazing to think that only half-century ago things were quite different. After Lutjens pulled away, the Officer of the Deck, who had been planning to get out later this year, turned to me and said, "I'm staying Navy." I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but this is it for now. Love you guys. And here is a picture of what we saw that day!! |
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