The Bush Battle Group will come home today and tomorrow. They have been deployed for 9 months.<\/p>\n
Among the many thousand of Sailors and Marines setting foot on US soil again is my son.<\/p>\n
They have done in the last nine months what the Navy exist to do. \u00a0They have protected shipping from pirates off the coast of Africa, provided safe transit for vessels of all nationalities, \u00a0 escorted a tanker that had been hijacked to its home port, \u00a0over ten thousand hours flying all types of aircraft in all weather to support the missions in Afghanistan and \u00a0 Iraq. They were the point of the spear against ISIS, flying aircraft against targets as well as launching ship based Tomahawk missiles. They took fast ships in harms way to protect not only our Nation but every nation. \u00a0The Carl Vinson took the Bush’s place. The CV will continue to do what the Navy does.<\/p>\n
But my son is coming home. The USS Phillipine Sea pulls into port Saturday he will be one of the Sailors Manning the Rails. When he left he was an ADAN, he is now a AD3. He earned his Air Warfare wings shortly before they deployed. He earned his surface warfare while deployed. He has a sea service ribbon now, \u00a0The Global was on Terror Expeditionary Medal and one or two others. He is a better Sailor than I ever was. Hell the truth is he is a better man than I am. \u00a0I could not be any prouder of him.<\/p>\n
I was supposed to be on the pier when the ship pulls in. For many reasons beyond my control I wont be able to make it. But I can make sure that he and some of the other young men and women returning home see this.<\/p>\n
Welcome Home, Thank you for your sacrifice. \u00a0You have protected us by giving up your own liberties for a time. You have worked in all weather and lived in conditions that would not be allowed for prisoners. Every one of you volunteered to become part of the mixture of people and machines that offer our Nation greater protection than any other nation on the face of the earth has ever has enjoyed. \u00a0Each and every one of you has missed some major life event in the last nine months. Birthdays of yourselves and loves ones. Births of children. the list is endless. \u00a0As you come home others are still on the front lines and others still are preparing to pay the sacrifice that true liberty demands.<\/p>\n
My pride is not limited to my son, but extends to each and everyone of you. You are all the sons and daughters of this nation, Your age, race or rank does not matter, What does matter is that you are home safe.<\/p>\n
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Welcome home \u00a0Zachary T. Wilson \u00a0AD3 (AW, SW) \u00a0I have missed you. I love you and will see you soon.<\/p>\n
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