Howie Kaluha
04-28-2006, 02:37 PM
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/apr2006/profiles/pr20060427b1.jpg
After being apart for almost two years, Leonardo Ramirez, chief cook for the USNS Patuxent, talks with his son, Cpl. Phillip Ramirez, a squad leader with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines during a surprise reunion for the two while the USS Nassau was conducting an underway replenishment with the Patuxent, April 22, 2006. U.S. Marine Corps photo by: Cpl. Christopher S. Vega U.S. Marine Corps, Cpl. Phillip Ramirez
Father, Son Reunited 'At Sea'
By Cpl. Christopher S. Vega
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit ABOARD USS NASSAU, April 28, 2006 —As the Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) prepared for the long journey home crossing the Atlantic, one Marine was able to get his homecoming a little early.
Cpl. Phillip Ramirez, of Jacksonville, Fla., a squad leader with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, got the chance to meet his father during an underway replenishment at sea (unrep).
Ramirez’s father, Leonardo, is the chief cook for the USNS Patuxent, the fleet replenishment oiler assigned to refuel the Nassau.
“I was told a half hour ago to get dressed and go to the flight deck, because my father was coming on the ship,” said Ramirez. “I didn’t believe it at first, then I realized his ship was doing the unrep.”
Ramirez was able to talk to his father twice since his deployment started in November; once during the Nassau’s first unrep crossing the Atlantic, during which Ramirez was able to talk on the phone from the Nassau’s pilot house while seeing his father on the flight deck of the Patuxent; and the other while in Kuwait after conducting counterinsurgency operations in Iraq.
The last time they were together was almost two years ago.
“With our busy schedules it’s hard to find time to see each other,” said Leonardo Ramirez, a retired petty officer first class. “This is one of the best days of my life.”
While touring the ship, the two talked about ship life, liberty ports and family. Phillip was also able to introduce his father to some of his friends and chain of command.
“To be able to link up a father and son during a deployment is an amazing thing,” said 1st Sgt. Victor Williams, Weapons Company first sergeant. “I think this sends the right message to the other Marines as well. It lets them know we look out for them and we want to do all we can for them.”
http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/apr2006/pr042706tj1.html
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/hr_profile.gif
After being apart for almost two years, Leonardo Ramirez, chief cook for the USNS Patuxent, talks with his son, Cpl. Phillip Ramirez, a squad leader with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines during a surprise reunion for the two while the USS Nassau was conducting an underway replenishment with the Patuxent, April 22, 2006. U.S. Marine Corps photo by: Cpl. Christopher S. Vega U.S. Marine Corps, Cpl. Phillip Ramirez
Father, Son Reunited 'At Sea'
By Cpl. Christopher S. Vega
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit ABOARD USS NASSAU, April 28, 2006 —As the Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) prepared for the long journey home crossing the Atlantic, one Marine was able to get his homecoming a little early.
Cpl. Phillip Ramirez, of Jacksonville, Fla., a squad leader with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, got the chance to meet his father during an underway replenishment at sea (unrep).
Ramirez’s father, Leonardo, is the chief cook for the USNS Patuxent, the fleet replenishment oiler assigned to refuel the Nassau.
“I was told a half hour ago to get dressed and go to the flight deck, because my father was coming on the ship,” said Ramirez. “I didn’t believe it at first, then I realized his ship was doing the unrep.”
Ramirez was able to talk to his father twice since his deployment started in November; once during the Nassau’s first unrep crossing the Atlantic, during which Ramirez was able to talk on the phone from the Nassau’s pilot house while seeing his father on the flight deck of the Patuxent; and the other while in Kuwait after conducting counterinsurgency operations in Iraq.
The last time they were together was almost two years ago.
“With our busy schedules it’s hard to find time to see each other,” said Leonardo Ramirez, a retired petty officer first class. “This is one of the best days of my life.”
While touring the ship, the two talked about ship life, liberty ports and family. Phillip was also able to introduce his father to some of his friends and chain of command.
“To be able to link up a father and son during a deployment is an amazing thing,” said 1st Sgt. Victor Williams, Weapons Company first sergeant. “I think this sends the right message to the other Marines as well. It lets them know we look out for them and we want to do all we can for them.”
http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/apr2006/pr042706tj1.html
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/hr_profile.gif