I had just finished up my "a" school and taken my 2 weeks leave. I bought my first car and drove down to Norfolk, VA only to find out that my ship was currently out to sea. So I checked into the transient holding unit and was waiting on my flight to meet the ship. The flew me and a few other people just like me( 18, fresh out of high school) to south africa to meet the ship and we were all really excited. But then September 11th happened and we were flown back to the states to await the ship's return. So on November 11th, 2002, I was standing in the frezzing cold in my dress blues on the pier with the rest of those who were stuck back here in the states waiting on this carrier to come back. We were tired and the day had just begun. We had been up sice about 0400 setting up all those bleachers and everything that you seen on the pier. I think that it was really strange to set up things that were undoubtly going to blow away from being on an ungaurded pier in the middle of the bay. But then this huge ship came around the corner and it was an amazing site to see. I befriended many people on board this vessel before I transferred off to my shore duty. I wish them all a safe return in the coming weeks, and I will see all of my friends then!!