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Brothers

Friday, March 15, 2002

• TITLE: "Brothers" A contrast between the troublesome brothers of sitting Presidents and the "Band of Brothers" (and Sisters) as popularized in the Stephen Ambrose book about World War II.
• "... Captain Ron Henderson ..." Here is the text of the announcement of Capt. Ron Henderson prior to the first launch of aircraft 10 Mar 02 aboard the John F. Kennedy:

  Good evening onboard John F. Kennedy, Carrier Group SIX and 
  Carrier Air Wing Seven. 
  
  We are currently preceding at best speed to our launch 
  point for tonight's strikes, off the coast of Pakistan, 
  nearly 700 miles south of our targets in Afghanistan.  At 
  midnight, CVW 7 will launch into the dark night, and strike 
  their first blows of Operation Enduring Freedom, the war on 
  terrorism. For us this is a culminating point in space, a 
  culminating point in time, and a culminating point in 
  history. 
  
  Our enemy is a group of religious fanatics, who pervert the 
  peace of Islam and twist its meaning to justify the murder 
  of thousands of innocents at the Twin Towers of New York, 
  at the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania. 
  
  They hate us and attack us because they oppose all that is 
  good about America. They hate us because we are prosperous. 
  They hate us because we are tolerant. They hate us because 
  we are happy. Mostly, they hate us because we are free and 
  because we will "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any 
  hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe to assure 
  the survival and success of liberty." Make no mistake - 
  this is fight for Western Civilization. If these monsters 
  are not destroyed they will destroy us, and our children 
  and children's children will live in fear forever. 
  
  America is the only nation that can stop them and destroy 
  them. Only America has the strength of character and the 
  vast resources to hunt these fanatics down anywhere in the 
  world. We have friends and Allies but we are the leaders of 
  the world our forefathers made and died for. Our Naval 
  power has been the principal weapon of our resolve. Great 
  ships and great crews have gone before us - ENTERPRISE, 
  CARL VINSON, KITTY HAWK, TEDDY ROOSEVELT, JOHN C. STENNIS. 
  Tonight, our enemies will feel the power of USS JOHN F 
  KENNEDY. It is now our turn to strike for justice and we 
  will strike hard. 
  
  Millions of Americans wish they could be here tonight with 
  us. They saw the Twin Towers fall, and watched helplessly, 
  wanting to do something to defend America and our way of 
  life. For us tonight, that wait and that helplessness are 
  over. We have reached the point where we are all part of 
  something so much greater than ourselves. For the rest of 
  our lives, no matter whether we stay in the Navy or move on 
  to civilian life, no matter what we do or where we go, we 
  will remember that on 10 March 2002, we came together and 
  struck a blow for freedom. 
  
  All of us are volunteers. Most of us joined the Navy to 
  serve our country and better ourselves. Tonight and in the 
  nights to follow we are given the opportunity of a 
  lifetime, a chance to truly make a difference in the world. 
  Our namesake, John F. Kennedy, wrote that "a single person 
  can make a difference, and every person should try." 
  Tonight, WE can make a difference!
  
  We represent America in all its power and diversity. We are 
  men and women, rich and poor, black and white, and all 
  colors of the human rainbow. We are Christian, Jew, and 
  yes, Muslim. We ARE America. 
  
  This war will not be short, pleasant, or easy. It has 
  already required the sacrifice of our firefighters, our 
  policemen, our soldiers, our Sailors, our airmen, and our 
  Marines. More sacrifices will be made. In the end we will 
  win, precisely because we are those things that the 
  terrorists hate - prosperous, happy, tolerant, and most of 
  all, free. 
  
  Those Americans who wish they could be here with us are, in 
  fact, here with us in spirit. Never before in American 
  history has our nation been so completely unified and 
  resolute in purpose. They are cheering us on, praying for 
  our safety and our success. Our families are behind us 
  100%. 
  
  We will not let them down. We are, and will be, men and 
  women of honor, courage, and commitment. 
  
  Abraham Lincoln said "America is the last, best hope for 
  the world". Tonight we hold a shining beacon of that hope. 
  We shall keep it burning brightly. 
  
  Stay sharp. Stay focused. Stay safe. Use the training that 
  has made you the best Sailors in the world. 
  
  Trust in your faith, and in your shipmates. God bless us 
  all, and God bless America.

                
                      World War II Poster

  
  

•     Mullings' Catchy Caption of the Day:
  

  
  This is the actual caption:
  The Los Angeles class attack submarine, USS Boise leads the fast combat support ship, USS Seattle and the guided missile cruiser, USS Hue City as the ships of USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group transit the Suez Canal.

  Photo: Reuters/U.S. Navy/Jim Hampshire ____________________________________________________________________________________