Virginia (CGN 38) - Naval Cruise Book

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Each deployment starts with expectations, a sense of loss and loneliness as we leave loved onesg and perhaps a feeling of dread as we face a period of being thrust into a confined space with strangers. Somehow we survive. The adventures and work keep us busy, the loneliness turns to anticipation of a return to loved ones and of course strangers become shipmates - our thoughts are seldom of war. This deployment has in many ways been unique. We have spent long days off the coast of Lebanon over three periods. During each period we have seen a marked change. The first time we were assigned to the waters, we actively sought opportunities to go ashore. There was no appreciable threat to our Marines and it was an adventure. The city of Beirut was brightly lit. On our second visit, a pall of tension existed but the airport still functioned and negotiations were in progress. The lights had dimmed. As I write this, Marines have died, ships have fired at positions that have been used to fire on the Marines, and the presence of war is known by the constant shelling. Much of the region is dark. There is a relationship between the lights and hope of peace. The periods have been different but instructive. We have seen what can happen to a country and all of us understand the blessings we enjoy at home - We are con- vinced we will not let this happen to our loved ones. I thank all of you for the transition you have made into being shipmates and for the strong effort you have made for your nation. For the families that read this book, thanks for the support you have provided your loved one. It has been a long cruise. We are older and wiser. Our love for family and country has grown. And as we expected, we did have adventures. This book will let you know some- thing about what we did and who was there. Thank you again for the role you played in this exciting deployment. J.F. KING

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AZ VN LA, xx XA . is xi Q Commander Robert J. Quinn, CHC, serves as USS VIRGINIA's spiritual leader. Father Quinn commenced his Naval service in January 1963 and was assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps. Fa- ther Quinn served with two leatherneck divi- sions fthe 1st and 3rd Marine Division! until June 1965. Subsequent tours led him to Naval Air Station, Glynco, GA., USS RANGER, Naval Station and CRUDESLANT, Newport, R.I., NAS Patuxent River, MD., USS INDEPENDENCE and NAVSTA, Long Beach, CA. Father Quinn reported to VIRGINIA in September 1981. Those of us who were aboard VIRGINIA for the cruise of 83 will not soon forget the months from May through November of that year. We discovered how true it is that 'man proposes, God disposes! Little did we think as We left peaceful Norfolk that we would person- ally become the cutting edge for our nation's foreign policy in the Mid-East. I wouldn't have missed it for anything, but I am more glad than you are to be sitting down comfortably at home, reading this book, in peace. Commander Robert J. Quinn, Chaplain CDR's Quinn, Reed and Robinson