Tearful goodbyes as USS Stennis heads out to sea
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BREMERTON, Wash. -- Monday was an emotional day for the friends and family of more than 2,000 sailors who just left Bremerton on the USS John C. Stennis. The men and women are shipping out 4 months earlier than expected.
The Lamy family has said goodby five times before, and know to spend each minute, every second, very carefully.
"It's hard. You become a single parent for the next - how many months - they're gone," said Navy wife Joanna Lamy. "So, it's a little hard, yeah."
The sailors are leaving earlier than planned because the Pentagon wants to keep the USS Stennis and another carrier in the Persian Gulf in case something develops in the Middle East.
The Stennis had just returned from the Middle East in March and is on its way to San Diego to pick up aircraft and more crew members. Then its off to the Persian Gulf.
Though they're being called away, there's also a pull for them to come back soon, and safely.
Until then, it's a countdown until departure.
"Every day he's gone is just one day closer to him coming home," said Navy wife Kathy Savoy.
Todd Savoy is parting ways with his son Kayson, just 4 and a half months after welcoming him into the world.
"It was more tough on her last deployment, being pregnant," Todd Savoy said. "Now, I think it's going to be more tough on me. I don't want to leave."
The sailors and their families say one of the hardest things for them is they don't know how long it'll be before they come back. It could be 6 months, it could be up to nine. They won't know until they get the OK to come back home.
The Lamy family has said goodby five times before, and know to spend each minute, every second, very carefully.
"It's hard. You become a single parent for the next - how many months - they're gone," said Navy wife Joanna Lamy. "So, it's a little hard, yeah."
The sailors are leaving earlier than planned because the Pentagon wants to keep the USS Stennis and another carrier in the Persian Gulf in case something develops in the Middle East.
The Stennis had just returned from the Middle East in March and is on its way to San Diego to pick up aircraft and more crew members. Then its off to the Persian Gulf.
Though they're being called away, there's also a pull for them to come back soon, and safely.
Until then, it's a countdown until departure.
"Every day he's gone is just one day closer to him coming home," said Navy wife Kathy Savoy.
Todd Savoy is parting ways with his son Kayson, just 4 and a half months after welcoming him into the world.
"It was more tough on her last deployment, being pregnant," Todd Savoy said. "Now, I think it's going to be more tough on me. I don't want to leave."
The sailors and their families say one of the hardest things for them is they don't know how long it'll be before they come back. It could be 6 months, it could be up to nine. They won't know until they get the OK to come back home.
Its at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 3 days ago and they will sail off today to unknown destination again.
There are roughly 90 aircraft on a full deployment so that would be very time consuming I would think to have them land one by one on the deck.
is there some problem with them simply flying the aircraft to the ship at sea instead of steamign to California and then to the gulf?.... I mean that is what planes do is fly,
Get that thing away from the dock and use it like the taxpayers intended. Doesn't do anyone any good tied up in Bremerton.
Anyone who thinks it's easy to be on a ship during deployment should have their head examined. Yes maybe it's a ground war but there are still dangers. And as far and a hot meal. My sailor would stand in line for his whole lunch and end up getting a hot dog or a cold sandwich if anything.That is why we send care packages from back home. A micro meal beats going hungry.I have been on the Stennis and let me tell you..even though it looks big it gets real small real fast especially after working 12-14 hr days. This Navy mom is very proud of her son and what he is doing!!! GO NAVY!!!
Bye and all that its what they singed up for. Hard on the ones left behind but ditto.
The USS Stennis please google and see who he was and why the ship is named afer him. LOL
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They are in a big boat in a land war. they mean be safe is as don't fall and get a boo-boo or be safe and don't get a brain freeze from that icecream.
War is cause of all hatred? Off the meds today?
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My eyes have been blinded by you know who? The man?
BTW most wars are for keeping what you got. You know like freedom and stuff you know  that old junk. I don't think we took on Hitler and company for want or greed . I could go on but whats the point? Go hit the pipe for both of us.
Fair winds my friends! Â Be safe out there. Â See you when you return.
They should be spending 4 more months with their families and loved ones.Â
As a Grunt Corpsmen I always envied the sailors. Hot meals, clean bunks. No fricken' snakes crawling into your sleeping bag. No fricken' mortars dropping in on them unannounced. Jealousy is such an ugly emotion!
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Be safe you guys, thanks for your service, following seas. And thank you to the families left behind. It is harder on the family members on the pier. They go home to an empty, quiet house. The guys on the ships are usually so damn busy they don't have time to cry for a while.
Be safe out there!
Been there and done that. A 6 month or more deployment is tough. Good luck and hang in there. What ever you do, don't count the days like I did! :)
Godspeed sailors.
Thank you for your service to our great nation.
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 @Major_Payne I have a son on that boat and I am so glad this will be his last deployment unless he re ups which I hope he doesn't. It is hard being a single parent and seeing him go out once again but until than like you said Godspeed and be safe to all the sailors not just my son.