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Steve Earley / AP
Petty Officer Third Class David Weir kisses his wife, Jessica, and son Cody as he prepares to deploy on the USS Bataan on Wednesday, March 23, from Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Va.
Paul J. Richards / AFP - Getty Images
US sailors man the rails as the USS Batann, the lead ship in the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, pulls out of the Norfolk, Virgina, US Naval Base on Wednesday, enroute to waters off Libya.
Paul J. Richards / AFP - Getty Images
Two unidentified US Navy sailors aboard the USS Batann, wave shortly before the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group pulls out of the Norfolk, Virgina, US Naval Base on Wednesday.
According to the AP, the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is deploying to the Mediterranean Sea to aid international efforts in Libya. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is made up of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde and the dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island. The ships will transport Marines, a combat helicopter squadron and a team of surgeons. The group will be relieving units from the USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group.
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This is proof that a picture really is worth a thousand words (but the same photo can still leave you speechless)!
I don't mind straight people serving in the military, but do they really have to go around flaunting their sexuality and shoving it down everyone's throats? I mean, my god. Keep it in the closet, for heaven's sake!
And to all the ass-chewing that's about to ensue, just know that straights who don't want gays in the military sound just as stupid when they carry on the way they do, and my post is simply a way to point that out. That door swings both ways, y'all.
Really? How necessary was that comment? Mind you, I'm all for the repeal of DADT, but this is not the place to be talking about that. Those men and women are leaving on a 6+ month deployment, and your comment was not relevant in the least bit.
Fair winds and following seas to the deploying sailors!
Concur.
Amen! Amanda....I could really care less about someones sexual orientation right about now. I have 2...NOT 1....but 2 sons on that ship....Save it for the politicians!
You must be from Westboro cretin!
My eyes swelled up upon seeing this photo. My own son leaves on this same deployment and we not see him for 11 months. He leaves an wife expecting, a mother, father, brothers and a sister. We all love him so very much and greatfully realize his and all the others deploying on the USS Bataans' sacrifice. Hurry home.
These pictures are worth so much. I know how the ones left behind feel, seeing as my friend is returning tomorrow from a 6+ month deployment from the Arabian Sea. Godspeed to all the sailors and their families. May you have a safe and successful deployment. We are proud of you and thank you for your service!
Fair winds and following seas shipmates!
May your tour be short and sweet and you be home soon. Be safe young men and women.
I wonder how many people realize that the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is part of a larger force that includes United States Marines from a Expeditionary Unit (MEU). In other words, those are combat infantrymen Marines, not support personnel, not aviators, not highway builders or school house restorers. Combat Marines and their associated support units like Beachmaster Units, Naval Hospital Corpsmen and others whose primary function is to kill people and break things. So I want to ask; what is Barry up to? Are we going to commit ground forces to Libya?
I've been on a number of long deployments and I know how it feels for both the sailors and those they leave behind. Fair winds, following seas.
My daughter served on the Bataan from 05-09. I know the gut-wrenching feeling when that ship is sailing into far-away waters.
Be safe young sailors! God Speed. Your country is proud of you.