[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18157-18158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         U.S.-GERMANY RELATIONS

  Mr. LUGAR. Madam President, I rise today to share a wonderful story 
illustrating the outpouring of support which the United States has 
received from friends and allies around the world in the days since the 
attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11. I 
recently joined Senate and House colleagues for a luncheon sponsored by 
the Congressional Study Group on Germany. Former Congressman Larry La 
Rocca, a Democrat from Idaho, hosted the luncheon to provide Members of 
Congress with an opportunity to meet the new German Ambassador, 
Wolfgang Ischinger.
  During Congressman La Rocca's introduction, he read an e-mail a close 
friend of his received from his son serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the 
USS Winston Churchill. The Congressman read the e-mail as a timely 
reminder of the close relationship between the United States and 
Germany. I found the story to be inspiring, and I wish to share it with 
my colleagues and the American people.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of this e-mail be 
inserted into the Record at this time.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

 Message Home From an Ensign Stationed Aboard USS ``Winston Churchill''

       Dear Dad: Well, we are still out at sea, with little 
     direction as to what our next priority is. The remainder of 
     our port visits, which were to be centered around max liberty 
     and goodwill to the United Kingdom, have all but been 
     canceled. We have spent every day 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 our time. It hasn't been that much fun I must confess, and 
     to be even more honest, a lot of people are frustrated at the 
     fact that they either can't be home, or we don't have more 
     direction right now. We have seen the articles and the 
     photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated as we 
     are, 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 the junior officers were called to the 
     bridge to conduct Shiphandling drills. We were about to do a 
     man overboard when we got a call from the Lutjens (D185), a 
     German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier in 
     Plymouth, England. While in port, the Winston S Churchill and 
     the Lutjens got together for a sports day/cookout on our 
     fantail, and we made some pretty good friends.
       Now at sea they called over on bridge-to-bridge, requesting 
     to pass us close up on our port side, to say goodbye. We 
     prepared to render them honors on the bridgewing, and the 
     Captain told the crew to come topside to wish them farewell. 
     As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer 
     announced through her binoculars that they were flying an 
     American flag. As they came even closer, we saw that it was 
     flying at half-mast.
       The bridgewing was crowded with people as the Boatswain's 
     Mate blew two whistles--Attention to Port--the ship came up 
     alongside

[[Page 18158]]

     and we saw that the entire crew of the German ship were 
     manning the rails, in their dress blues. They made up a sign 
     that was displayed on the side that read ``We Stand By You.''
       Needless to say there was not a dry eye on the bridge as 
     they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and we cut our 
     salutes. It was probably the most powerful thing I have seen 
     in my entire life and more than a few of us fought to retain 
     our composure. It was a beautiful day outside today.
       We are no longer at liberty to divulge over unsecure e-mail 
     our location, but we could not have asked for a finer day at 
     sea. 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's amazing to think that only a half-century ago 
     things were quite different, and to see the unity that is 
     being demonstrated throughout Europe and the world makes us 
     all feel proud to be out here doing our job. After the ship 
     pulled away and we prepared to begin our man overboard drills 
     the Officer of the Deck turned to me and said ``I'm staying 
     Navy.'' I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be 
     home, but for now, this is probably the best news that I 
     could send you. Love you guys.

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