Homecoming Plans

Pulling out of Singapore was bitter sweet because while I was tired after three months at sea, it was also dawning on me that the port visits were coming to a close for a while. I had not realized the preparations had already started for a homecoming upon pulling into Yokosuka. As soon as the ship had left the harbor, I was immediately engaged in one of the plans.

Apparently there is an old navy tradition that ships coming back from long deployments receive a homecoming ceremony as soon as they arrive back in port. Traditionally ships going underway from the states complete around six months at sea before returning to port. We had been underway for three months but still it is really the thought that counts. As a forward deployed ship, we go in and out of port regularly or irregularly in some cases.

The plan my skills were needed for was to sell roses to give to family members upon return. The manpower requirements were filled by the chief selects. I programed a K22, a hand held navy cash card reader, to accept payments during lunch. Sailors would be able to hand deliver a flower to their special loved ones. I thought it was a romantic and classy gesture.

As more plans were announced we learned that our pier had been changed to better accommodate large groups of family members, Senior Officers and vendors. One of the prizes during a bingo tournament was to be the first person off the ship. The crew was revved up about seeing their family and friends. I needed to make sure my sailors stayed on task for the week it was going to take to get back into port. Without any family in Yokosuka, I liked to see how much impact this homecoming was having on the crew.