I married your daddy on March 18th, 2000. He had already accepted orders to go to the USS Vella Gulf July 2000. Once he reported to that ship they immediately started getting ready to deploy on a 6 month deployment on September 18, 2001. So we had many months to get ourselves ready for a very routine 6 month deployment.
Now fast forward to September 11, 2001. It started as a normal day. Your daddy left for the ship and I left for work. I was teaching kindergarten at Portlock Primary and we had just started our school year so it was a little hectic. A friend had come to our room to tell us that the planes had crashed into the World Trade centers. I immediately tried to call the ship to find out if they were leaving. Your daddy finally called me to tell me that all the ships were leaving but your daddy's ship, the USS Vella Gulf along with the USS George Washington were heading to the New York Harbor. My heart sank. They were already scheduled to leave for a deployment in 7 days. And I wasn't going to get to hug him goodbye.
The ship returned to Norfolk naval base and the USS Vella Gulf and her shipmates had one week to get their affairs in order. The USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group were on their way to defend our country. Although I was extremely worried and upset, I knew that that ship was ready and so was her crew.
Daddy with his shipmates from radio on the USS Vella Gulf CG72
While on their deployment they received a flag from the World Trade Center site. Your dad was on duty that day and got to take pictures with it. It was flown on each ship in that battlegroup.
The flag that was flown over the world trade center rumble.
And the best part of a deployment is the homecoming! And we had a great homecoming for the battle group. They were coming home heroes! But the best part was that while daddy was gone we had decided to have a baby! So a few months later we found out that I was pregnant and you were going to be coming in April!
USS Vella Gulf homecoming May 2002
Waiting for daddy to get off the ship!
After Daddy left that ship he decided to retire. I believe that was hard for him to do. I believe that a "hero" is someone that goes above and beyond and puts others before themselves. Your daddy is a hero. He puts his God and his country first and although it is hard when he leaves that is part of his job and his passion.
Cedric Butts delivered the keynote address. Cedric and Daddy were stationed
on their first ship together in 1985 USS Copeland. They are still great friends.
Daddy giving his baby girl flowers at his retirement.
Steve receiving his flag at his retirement.
Navy family being piped ashore for the last time.
On September 11th then President George W. Bush said: "This is the day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world."
So there you have it my sweet girl. Heros are the ones that put others before themselves. They fight for what is right. They get the bad guys and always watch out for their girls. But more importantly my sweet sweet girl I want you to know what a hero is because I want you to choose a hero for your children as well. Then tell them that Heros often wear uniforms but they RARELY wear capes!
~Cora's mom.....the one who washes the uniform! :)
