USS Theodore Roosevelt returns from war to tears of joy

SAILORS' HOMECOMING

From staff and wire reports

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, one of the first ships sent abroad in the U.S. war on terror, docked Wednesday after a six-month mission, sending crew members streaming ashore into the tearful embraces of family members.

Among those who landed were Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Shohn Lorenz of Yount, Mo. Lorenz was due to arrive at St. Louis's Lambert-St. Louis International Airport at 8:40 p.m. Wednesday night for a stay at home of two weeks. Waiting for him were his mother and stepfather, Sharon and Michael Unterreiner, and a surprise: Lorenz's girlfriend, Jill Triller.

Lorenz had e-mailed Triller saying he wouldn't arrive until Thursday, planning to surprise her instead. "He was trying to pull a slick one," his stepfather said.

Sharon Unterreiner had to work Wednesday afternoon. "I have a funny feeling she's trying to hurry the day along," her husband said.

Lorenz and his shipmates were out for six months, the longest any aircraft carrier has been on a mission since World War II. They stopped only in Bahrain and France.

Still over there

Homecomings are still in the future for others called to serve from the region after terrorist attacks. Naval Reservist Dot Berkbigler of Perryville, Mo., has been stationed in Bahrain since September. Her husband, Dean, just returned from a five-week visit to Bahrain, an island country in the Persian Gulf.

She was on leave the first two weeks her husband was there.

Berkbigler, mother of two-grown daughters, is part of the base security force. The base primarily provides support to ships in the region. About 30 other people from the region also are stationed there. Dean Berkbigler said his wife expects to be in Bahrain until August, although the Navy could not provide confirmation of that.

Asked how his daughters are faring, Dean said, "So far so good. It was pretty hard at first."

Festive greeting

Rain and a blustery wind failed to wash out the festive atmosphere at Norfolk Naval Station's Pier 14 where thousands hailed the return of the warship from a 189-day cruise.

"USA! USA! USA!" the throng chanted as the first carrier to deploy after Sept. 11 was nudged into the pier by tugboats. Many waved and wept openly before the crew left the ship.

Sailors waiving American flags waved back from the deck of the 1,092-foot carrier.

"We still have 30 ships out there and thousands of shipmates who continue to do the job," said Adm. Robert J. Natter, commander in chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. "The answer to this war on terrorism is not have we captured Osama Bin Laden."

The key, he said, is that U.S. forces are keeping al-Qaida terrorists on the defensive.

"We are winning," Natter said.

Welcoming the sailors at the pier were Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and other dignitaries.

The ship flew the flag of New York City as it pulled alongside the pier. A banner, fashioned from a bedsheet, proclaimed: "Freedom Endures."

The Roosevelt launched 60 to 80 combat flights a day into Afghanistan, and the ship's aviators routinely flew 14 hours a day.

"We helped deter terrorism," said Capt. Stephen S. Voetsch, commander of the carrier air wing.

Roosevelt departed Norfolk Sept. 19 on a regularly scheduled deployment, the first for a battle group after the Sept. 11 attacks in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

At a tent for crewmen who are new fathers, Lt. Cmdr. Carther Jorgensen cradled his 4-month old son, Alexander Charles, each smiling broadly at each other.

"I'm so glad I'm home. It seems he knew who I was. He smiled," Jorgensen said.