My Sailor Man is finally HOME

Homecoming ....there really are no words for all the emotions you feel. It was a COLD morning...but we managed. We brought our jackets and coats until the sun was high enough that we were warmed up. It was also an ealry morning 5 am...we left at 6:15 and arrived at 7:15. The ship hit the bouy outside of the basin at 8:15 and they were in view by 8:30. As the ship pulled in the other ships "honked" their horns in welcome. It also saddens me as our ship pulls in another pulls out and those familys are left to wait. I say a prayer for both. A prayer for the returning vessel and a prayer for the departing one. The missions are never ending. The fight always on and the service men ready for the challenges and duty that lies ahead. But the USS MCINERNEY FFG8 came home safely and we waited INpatiently....

Once eveyone could see the ship, the crowd was screaming and waving thier flags. We were no exception. Bea, Lily, Mom, James had the posters and I was too excited but was waving that flag !! The news crew was there. This is the Mac's last deployment after 30 yrs of service. She is the oldest Fast Frigate in the USN and she made her last and final voyage. We were just so happy that she made it home safely and we were all ready to have our loved ones back.

The only one that was not here was Marin. She was actually onboard the Mac. She went on the Tiger cruise. She boarded the ship in Ft. Lauderdale and rode it up the coast. The Tiger cruise is for the military dependants and James had attended last year. This year was her year to go. It was OK. A good experience and one she was happy to have had but the weather was rough and she got sea sick for most of it. But once she was on land she was fine and we were so happy that she was back and happier that dad was finally home.

The rest of the pictures really tell the joy, happiness and emotions we felt to finally having Jimmy back home

Welcome Home to all the sailors of the USS MCINERNEY and to our special sailor and daddy