Our class is doing our part to support our heroes...How about you?
The
USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN71)
|
Letter writing |
Christmas Card Project |
Thank you cards |
Letters and notes to "our sailor"
"Speak softly and carry a big stick."
See the
Navy's "big stick" and
meet the man for whom it is named.
The picture is a link to more information.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt's Deployments
The TR has played a major role in many events since her christening in 1984. Some of her accolades include Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Deny Flight, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Allied Force...
"TR began her seventh deployment on September 19, 2001 with Carrier Air Wing ONE. After a routine transit of the Atlantic Ocean, TR and CVW-1 were called to support Operation Enduring Freedom."
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is currently underway for Tailored Ship Training Availability (TSTA), and began its Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) Jan. 13 to complete another qualification in preparation for deployment. The TR will be accelerating it's training now that they've been called up for deployment... "The Roosevelt and its battle group, currently training near Puerto Rico, could be steaming toward the Mediterranean in about a week...the Navy confirmed Tuesday that two more aircraft carriers -- including the Norfolk-based Theodore Roosevelt -- have been ordered to move within striking distance of Iraq."
The Theodore Roosevelt battle group headed on Tuesday (2/4/03) for the Middle East, where it will provide 11 more ships and 8,000 crew members to the U.S. military's buildup for a possible war with Iraq. After the Norfolk-based carrier battle group was notified Tuesday afternoon that it had been certified for deployment, it immediately began its overseas assignment.
The Roosevelt battle group has a crew of 8,445, including Air Wing Eight. Other pieces of the 11-ship group are the cruisers Anzio and Cape St. George; the destroyers Arleigh Burke, Winston Churchill, Porter and Stump; the frigate Carr; the fast combat support ship Arctic; and two unnamed fast attack submarines.
News....News....News...
The carrier Roosevelt returned to Norfolk on May 29.
Wishing the crew of the TR a heroes welcome for a job well done! And a special note to our sailor, Mr. Johnson...we are very happy to hear that you are home safely!
A gift from our sailor and the TR
First, meet "our sailor"...
Mr. Herbert Johnson, YN2
Combat Systems Yeoman of the United States Navy, proudly serving aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt
Our class has had the pleasure of corresponding with a sailor serving aboard the TR for more than a year now. We began with sending out a dozen "Dear Sailor" letters back in October 2001 shortly after the deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Arabian Sea to serve our country as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. My students wanted a way to show their support, and a way they, too, could make a difference.
We were very fortunate to have one particular sailor, Mr. Johnson, respond to our letters. In fact, he wrote a response to each and every student letter he received. He found our class email on line and began emailing with the students regularly. Each letter sent to him was read and replied to with thoughtfulness, care, and sincerity. Even as he was away from his home, his family, his country (not to mention dry land!) for more than six months fighting for our freedom, he took the time to respond, encourage, and inspire.
Our story was in a December issue of our local newspaper. We shared our emails from Mr. Johnson, some pictures from the TR website, and told about how we made over 800 Christmas cards to send to the sailors aboard the ship. Ms. Larson received letters from several people who had relatives on the ship thanking us for our efforts.
When we heard that the TR would not be able to return the World Trade Center flag to NYC, we even wrote letters to see if something could be done...we felt the sailors deserved the honor of returning the flag personally. Ms. Larson wrote an editorial for the newspaper and we emailed many important people in the government. While we were not able to change the location of the flag return ceremony (an issue of national security), we sure learned a lot for our efforts! We received letters from the Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney (personal letter, hand signed, with a picture!), from our US Senator Debbie Stabenow and State Senator Don Koivisto, a phone call from State Representative Doug Bovin's office, an email from Michael Bloomberg (well, his chief of staff) the Mayor of the City of New York, and Governor Pataki of New York asked Director Larrabee of the Port Authority of NY & NJ to respond to our letter, and he did so with a letter as well!!!
To culminate a year of writing, learning, tracking, drawing, card making, emailing, etc. we made a video of all that we learned about the TR, her crew, and her part of Enduring Freedom...start to finish, and included video from 2 trips made by the Today Show. We followed the ship right back into port at the end of their record breaking deployment. We were most relieved to have them all reach Norfolk safe and sound. What an adventure!
And now our adventure continues with the deployment of the TR battle group as they join in the war efforts of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Our letter writing has been ongoing since that first correspondence more than a year ago. Just as the writing continues, so does our support for "our sailor", and all those who serve our country...we are VERY PROUD!
Gifts...
We received many "gifts" through our correspondence with Mr. Johnson. We learned a great deal about the ship, about the world, about what it means to serve one's country.
We received this autographed photo of the ship from our sailor for Christmas. It is signed by Captain Richard J. O'Hanlon, and arrived in a folder stamped with the Navy emblem on the front cover. It is very special to us all!
Three Cheers!
"I propose three cheers ... TWICE!"
"I propose three cheers for Theodore Roosevelt, the man. May his ideals and precepts live and guide us in this ship always."
"hip, hip ... hooray!"
"hip, hip ... hooray!"
"hip, hip ... hooray!""I propose three cheers for THEODORE ROOSEVELT, the ship. May she never (again) be used in anger, but if she is, may she be ready!"
"hip, hip ... hooray!"
"hip, hip ... hooray!"
"hip, hip ... hooray!"
We are so very grateful that the TR battle group and crew, was ready, is ready, and will be ready to preserve our freedom. Thanks to the crew...one and all!
As for those of us at home who wonder how we can make a difference, look to the words of TR, the man, who said...
"Do what you can,
with what you have,
where you are."
Here are some websites with ideas of how you can show your support:
Military
Guestbook: Salute deployed troops
Operation Uplink
Donate a calling card and help keep servicemembers in touch with family and
friends.
Operation Dear
Abby
Send a message to American service men and women around the globe through this
program founded by advice columnist Abigail Van Buren.
Defend
America
Deliver a virtual “thank you” to members of the U.S. military.
Operation USO
Care Package
This program, sponsored by World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., sends care
packages to overseas servicemembers.
American
Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services
In 2002, the Red Cross provided direct assistance to 523,660 military families.
Make your donation online or contact your local Red Cross.
The Fisher House
Support families whose loved ones are being treated at military and VA
hospitals.
