San Diego based USS Cape St. George deployment extended
As of January 2012 our Navy has 323,773 active duty members with a ready reserve of 104,532. There are currently 133 ships deployed or underway. That is forty seven percent of the Navy’s total ships. On each of those ships are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, cousins, friends; people who are important to someone who is at home awaiting their return.
Just last week the Skipper of the San Diego based USS Cape St. George (CG-71) sent an audio message to the families of those deployed aboard his ship. He talked about how those on board stay busy, the qualifications they are earning, their very few port visits, but most striking was the announcement that they have been extended for at least three months. Three months. No summer together. Another half way celebration, because half way just got pushed back. More paper to add to the daily chain. More letters to write. More time apart.
While his words may not bring comfort to those who have to wait that much longer for their loved ones to return, they are a reminder that those in the military, and their families, have a mission and it is not an easy one. Long months apart are difficult on a family, but part of being a member of the volunteer force that serves our country.
Capt. Gabrielson offered the following, “We’re here to provide our President with options as the situation with Iran unfolds. We’re all hoping for the best but we know we serve as volunteers. We’re a small, proud team committed to defending our national interests. Doing important things is never convenient and it’s never easy. You share in our sacrifice and for that we are grateful and we are dedicated to making you proud of who we are and what we stand for. These are not easy times for any of us but our message to anyone is simple—we are ready when our nation calls and we’ve been called.”
Thank you to our service members who endure the long months at sea away from their families. Thank you to the families and friends who love our service members and stand ready to send cards, letters, care packages and most importantly, to be there on the dock when they finally return home from a long, but necessary mission.
Kellee Hearther
Online Editorial Intern
eCoronado.com
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