Things They Buried by James Hornfischer

The Wall Street Journal
MAY 28, 2011

Things They Buried
By JAMES D. HORNFISCHER

Bob Hagen knew the worst of battle while serving on destroyers in the Pacific during World War II. He saw action at Guadalcanal. He was the gunnery officer on the USS Johnston when it was hit hard in the Battle Off Samar near the Philippines on October 25, 1944. For two hours he directed the ship’s main guns, firing gamely at an (more…)

Days 125 through 131, 2011 Deployment, USS CARR

USS CARR Families and Friends –

A reminder that on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 there will be a FRG meeting at the Little Creek Clubhouse, 2156 Wellings Court, Virginia Beach 23455 at 6 pm. This meeting will include information regarding what to expect on homecoming day and a guest speaker to cover the reintegration process within our families.  Please RSVP to usscarrfrg@gmail.com with your number of attendees and if you would like childcare.  The FRG will provide childcare at the location.  Tickets for first kiss and first hug will be available for purchase, 1 ticket for $1.00 or 6 tickets for $5.00. The FRG looks forward to seeing you all there. (more…)

Days 118 through 124, 2011 Deployment, the CARR is chasing drugs

USS CARR Families and Friends –

Day 118 – Sunday, October 9th
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Today we were supposed to arrive in Cartagena, Columbia; however, due to emergent tasking we are at sea boarding a vessel suspected of carrying drugs.

I can’t add much detail other than to say the vessel had been secured and a thorough search is underway. (more…)

New Mission, Days 111 through 117

USS CARR Families and Friends –

This week’s email is shorter than usual – we are now operating in 4th Fleet which encompasses the waters south of Cuba down through South America. Our new mission is to counter transnational organized crime…this include disrupting the movement of drugs. As a result, our tempo has picked up as we sharpen our skills at a new mission and I can’t talk as freely about our day-to-day operations (more…)

Days 97 through 103, USS Carr 2011 Deployment

USS CARR Families and Friends –

First off, there was an error in last week’s update; it should have read CTT2 Mathew Brown vice Jonathan Brown.  I hope all our family and friends have had an opportunity to talk or Skype with their Sailor before we sail for the second part of our deployment (albeit a much shorter portion).  Also, thank you to those family members who were able to make it to Mayport!

Day 97 – Sunday, September 18th (more…)

Waves and Bravo Zulu’s

USS CARR Families and Friends –

Day 90 – Sunday, September 11th
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Today we continued our journey south, passing London on our Starboard side, then turned west in the afternoon as we transited through the Dover Strait and English Channel.  As we neared the end of the English Channel, seas began to build to 7-9 ft with 20+ kt winds. (more…)

USS Carr gets ready to come home, fight through weather

USS CARR Families and Friends –

Today we took a moment to remember September 11th – laying a wreathe from the fantail to remember those killed at the World Trade Towers, Pentagon, Pennsylvania, and abroad in the ongoing War on Terrorism.  Chief Select Ravi Tobierre and Orlando Munoz then recounted for our crew the timeline of events surrounding 9/11; DCC Justin Jones then shared the story of the firefighters in NYC and Washington D.C, also recounting his interaction with fellow firemen from NYC; BM1 Toney London then offered his personal story of how his family was affected. (more…)

USS Carr sets record for most visits by US ship to Russia (we think)

USS CARR Families and Friends –

We have made it past half-way day; many of the crew have commenced their countdown of the days until we return to family and friends.  This week began in Tromsø, Norway and ended in Murmansk, Russia – hectic for some, relaxing for others:

Day 76 – Sunday, August 28th  (Arrived Tromsø, Norway)
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This morning it was cool (around 55F), wet, and foggy as we (more…)

USS CARR leaves the Baltic, closer to home

USS CARR Families and Friends –
This week CARR and her crew were engaged in the following activities:
Day 62 – Sunday, August 14th (Underway from Riga, Latvia)
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Riga, Latvia was yet another excellent port visit and great execution of our Theater Security Cooperation mission in the Baltic. Today we got underway in the late morning from Riga. The port is located within an outer bay, which meant we had to man up twice for sea and anchor detail – once to get underway from the pier and another in the afternoon to depart the bay. Luckily our weather was much better than when we had arrived – once back in the Baltic we turned south and headed to Poland. (more…)