MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Up until I stepped into the executive officer’s office, Sept. 11, 2001, the day, thus far, was quite uneventful and full up with last-minute tasks that seemed to be everyone else’s number-one priority but mine.
We, the USS Bataan (LHD-5) and crew, were to be the next amphibious assault ship to leave Norfolk Naval Base for a “routine” deployment. Although Bataan was my third ship, my assignment was a Navy first as I was the first enlisted Public Affairs Officer for a three-ship amphibious assault group, as well as the ship’s Public Affairs Officer. It was a tremendous honor but, at the same time, it was a colossal challenge.
As I stood at attention, briefing the XO about upcoming ship visits and media requests, I sensed that he was not listening to what I was saying. I looked away from my notes to look at him. My eyes followed his wide-eyed gaze to the television, which was tuned in to the latest “CNN Headline News” program. The moment that I began to look away from the screen, I caught a glimpse of what I hoped hadn’t been what my mind freeze-framed in that short second. Just to satisfy my curiosity, and to reassure myself, I turned to look … the rest is history.
Like countless others, I somehow managed to finish the workday — although in a horrified stupor, unable to rationalize what I had seen and would continue to see it replayed, over and over and over again that day.
It was difficult to watch television accounts of the events of the day but, as a journalist, I was drawn to watch for the need for answers. I watched, on and off, all day long, captured by the magnitude of the devastation — watching up until the surrealistic finale that sweep thousands into its unbelievable nightmare.
By bedtime, I was physically and mentally drained — just watching the accounts of the “Attack on America.” I could only imagine what it was like to have been close enough to witness the destruction of the Twin Towers, the attack on the Pentagon and the crash in Pennsylvania.
When I arrived aboard ship the following day, I received word that our deployment schedule had been moved up. Our ship’s movement, however, was dependent upon picking up our passengers – the Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) from Camp Lejeune, N.C. Once the Marines were aboard, Bataan headed for its role in the “War Against Terrorism.”
Long before we arrived off Afghanistan’s coast, I had begun e-mailing my Public Affairs counterparts who were to be with us in theater, a total of seven amphibious assault ships and two aircraft carriers. As a military photojournalist, I knew that the crew’s and MEU’s movements, on and off the ship, needed to be heavily documented — so my sights were set on receiving some very important cargo from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. As luck would have it, I knew the TR’s PAO, personally, and he willingly agreed to send me what I had requested. What I didn’t realize was that I would also be receiving a package that held the most precious cargo I have ever had the privilege to hold.
I remember the day, vividly. I was waiting on the ramp just inside the hangar deck for my inbound cargo from the Teddy Roosevelt. It wasn’t long before I heard the distinctive whirl of the CH-46’s blades, growing louder as it hovered and swung right for its landing. “They’re finally here,” I said to myself and sighed with relief. The next step was to set the ball in motion … that was, to get the Combat Camera team assigned to berthing, get them fed and put to work — in that order.
By the time the Combat Camera photojournalist and videographer arrived, the MEU was preparing to make the first landing on Afghanistan soil. You can just imagine my delight in knowing that this event was to be fully documented and passed to military and civilian media for widest dissemination. Chief Photographer’s Mate Johnny Bivera and Journalist 1st Class Stephanie Plocharczyk, both personal friends of mine and former coworkers from Combat Camera Atlantic in Norfolk, were also elated to know that they were finally “where the action was” — aboard Bataan and with the 26th MEU!
Later that evening, after the chief and JO1 were settled in and familiarizing themselves with the ship, crew and Marines, I went back to my office to open the package that I’d received from the TR’s PAO.
I sat there at my desk just looking at the FED-EX package, trying to imagine what was inside — rather than just opening it up and revealing its contents. Strangely funny how you find yourself doing that — even at home — whenever you receive a letter from someone you don’t know …
As I opened the package, carefully slipping my hand inside, the tips of my fingers touching what felt like silk. Being that it didn’t feel threatening, I grasped the contents and pulled it slowly from the cardboard box. As the light from the office shone on the article that was now about a fourth out of the box, I could see what it was. It was a flag. “Hmmm,” I thought to myself, “Why is the lieutenant sending me a flag ... and a holiday flag at that?” Setting the flag aside, I dug through and pulled out the remaining contents. “Hmmm, a newspaper article …” At that very moment, my heart stopped and my eyes widened — and perhaps for the first time in my adult life, I was totally speechless (something that those close to me would say could never happen).
The lieutenant had sent me THE “Ground Zero” flag! Taking a closer look at the flag, I could see that it had hundreds of signatures written in various colors of ink. Just touching the flag flooded my mind with visions of CNN newscasts and newspaper headlines of that horrific day. Along with the flag came a note that was addressed to the 26th MEU, saying that the flag was being sent to USS Theodore Roosevelt for further transfer to the 26th MEU. The people of New York City wanted the Marines to hoist the Ground Zero flag on Afghan soil.
I cannot tell you how many minutes I sat dazed, unable to move, before I realized that I had to act quickly in order for the ship, crew and Marines to pay tribute to the flag before sending ashore with the MEU.
Within two days time, the amphibious group commander, commanding officer of the ship, and the MEU commander were standing facing the ship’s mast where they awaited the arrival of the Ground Zero flag which was carried by a young female Sailor from New York City who had received it after being passed from Sailors and Marines who formed a continuous human chain on the ship’s flight line.
After an honorable ceremonial tribute to the Ground Zero flag, it was hoisted to the top of the mast where it fluttered gracefully in the wind until sunset. The next morning, the Marines took it ashore and performed a second ceremony on the shores of Afghanistan.
Flying the Ground Zero flag in Afghanistan seemed to say so many things for so many Americans. It is not for me to say what it is … it is only for everyone to know that the wishes of the people of New York City came true — thanks to the Navy and Marine Corps team.