Manning of the Rails cont. . . .

 Emmi 5th from the left.

More fun pictures of her ship mates.

Annie made these shirts for she and I to wear to greet Emmi.  Very clever!

My favorite picture of Annie showing how tired we were of waiting for 2 hours for Emmi to get off the ship and how humid and hot it was.  

After we had all our hugs and hellos we headed back to the hotel so that Emmi could change into her civilian clothes and then we were off to get some dinner.  After dinner we went back to the ship.  Emmi took us on a tour and I honestly don't know how she survived the living conditions (if you want to call them that) on the ship.  It was horrible.  I only have pictures and they do not do justice to what how she had to live and survive.  The conditions worse than a prison!  I promise you that.

Emmi explaining the layout of the Truman.

Walking up the ramp tot he ship.

This is the sleeping area and the picture does not really tell the story of the tight quarters.  If Emmi laid sideways on her bed her shoulder would touch the bunk above her.  They were that close together.

Emmi chose the bottom bunk because there were very small drawers under her bunk.  

Showers and toilets with a cloth in front.  Absolutely no privacy to speak of.  

Going down the hallways.  Jeffrey had to stay hunched over through most of the ship.

A wall map of the floor we were on.

This was painted on the wall.  I can't remember what they were for.  Emmi would have to tell you.

The eating area.  Emmi said the food was horrible!  She was very grateful that she took a huge container of granola bars and snacks of all kinds.

After the tour we help her carry out all her belongings and she thankfully waved goodbye forever to the ship!

The next morning we got up at our leisure and headed to Augusta.  I think it was about 6 hours.  We spent the rest of the week with Emmi at her apartment.  Ken, Jeff's brother, came and we played games, ate good food and just had a fun time hanging out.  Annie fixed funeral potatoes and ham for dinner one night and roast, potatoes and gravy on Sunday.  Emmi should have plenty of left overs to get her through the next couple weeks.  

The most exciting event of the week was Emmi buying a new car!  

Annie and I love the American Flag waving in the breeze and always have to take a picture.

The new purchase complete!

Driving away from the car dealership.

Following her home.

Emmi will be buying a new TV some time before she heads to Hawaii

Miniature golfing.  

Last night together at a Mexican restaurant.

The last goodbyes before we headed back to Salt Lake.  Jeff gave Emmi a beautiful Father's Blessing.  Emmi has some unwinding and processing to do but she is strong and resilient and has some great times to look forward to in the next few months.

"True religion, the tie that binds us to God and to each other, 

not only seals our family relationships in eternity 

but also heightens our delight in those family experiences while in mortality."

Jefferey R. Holland

Love you with all my heart Emmi Girl.  Thanks for an incredibly fun week and for the opportunity to see you come into port and see the Manning of the Rails.

,

Manning of the Rails

 What an incredible experience I had traveling with Jeff and Lynda Ann to Norfolk, VA to watch the aircraft carrier, Truman come in to port.  Emmi has been out on deployment since December 1st and more than ready to get off that ship and never have to go back on it again.  We could see the ship coming in and you could see the sailors all in their whites standing along the rails.  It was absolutely amazing.  

This is a picture of a ship that was in the harbor.  Obviously much newer than the Truman.

The stream of sailors getting off the ship for liberty!

Emmi referred to this part of the ship as the "rusty butt".  It is the back end of the ship.  The flag that is flying says, "Give them Hell".  A statement from President Truman.

The crowds of families waiting to greet their sons or daughters.

And those long awaited hugs and happy tears.

Some fun pictures of her sailor buddies.

This is the sign that Annie had made for Emmi's welcome home.  We held it up as the ship was coming in to dock.

After the hellos and the hugs, kisses and tears we headed back to the hotel so that Emmi could change out of her whites and into shorts and t-shirt.  

Jeff always ahead of us.  It was a very hot, humid day!

Emmi looking very sailorish!

I have to post this picture because this is how Emmi really felt about the Truman and her nine months on Cell Block 75 as they so fondly referred to it.

We thought this would be a great advertisement for Eddie Bauer.  

continued . . . . . . .