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"Being on Deployment is Tough Enough"

Being on deployment is tough enough without all the extra things that run through Sailors minds,

like wondering what the folks back home think about what we are doing out here. You mix that in with the fact that you are deployed over Holidays, you miss birthdays, and anniversaries, it makes things a lot worst for morale. You're on a string of 50 to 60 days where you work a minimum of 12-hour days, and it all adds up to low moral. I know my Sailors enjoy when we have visitors to the ship. They enjoy taking the time off and getting to meet celebrities and hearing good music, showing off their ship. I remember one year when we had some visitors come out to the ship to visit us for the News Years Eve, I think it really boosted morale for the crew, we had been at sea for 102 days without hitting a port. We left Norfolk, Virginia on September 19th 2001, we had an Olympic Wrestler and some Movie stars, and a couple of bands come aboard to entertain the crew. What a moral booster!!!!

I think the bands that came aboard our ship enjoyed themselves too. You would be amazed what the youth of America can do with a little guidance from some of us older folks. You see 19 to 20 year old men and women breathing life into this ship, taking 4 ½ acres of United States prime real estate on the move. We do our best to defend the very freedom you enjoy everyday. If you don't think entertaining the troops is worth it, you are wrong; you should see their faces light up when they hear you are coming, you have the power to make a difference in someone's life today. Go ahead and get in there, contact Judy. Do your part to help support the troops that are out here defending the American way of life. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.