John Stennis (CVN 74) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 423 text:

ENDURING FREEDOM 4!9

Page 422 text:

4)8 USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74)

Page 424 text:

... A large American flag that had been flying at the complex on Sept. 1 1 was recovered from beneath the steel, dust and ash. Thousands of Americans whose bodies will never be recovered were cremated in that holocaust. This flag covered and was part of their re- mains... Love for flag and country is as normal a part of ev- eryday life in the Navy as breathing. We raise the col- ors at 8 a.m. every day, playing the National Anthem. We face and salute the flag every time we board ship or go ashore. Every night at sunset we solemnly retire the colors. We are given a flag when we retire from the service. An American flag covers our caskets be- fore we are lowered into our graves. . . . John Paul Jones wrote: The flag and I were twins; bom in the same hour from the same womb of des- tiny. We cannot be parted in life or death. So long as we can float, we shall float together. If we sink, we shall go down as one. Excerpt from The flag that will fly over the Stennis by Michael S. Giorgino r EEC EMDCy it ' {. . J 20 USSJOHNC.STENNIS(CVN74) . h