Going Home: The Handout

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***UNCLAS******UNCLAS******UNCLAS******UNCLAS***
USAREUR DOCUMENT #2000-1097 - OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION TO ALL PERSONNEL ONCE EMBARKED ON CONVEYANCE SHIPS OF TF34 NOS. 1-15 OR USS JOHN HANCOCK

THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST IN SPANISH, FRENCH, POLISH AND GERMAN

Introduction:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the United States Armed Forces, Europe. Fifty six years and six months ago, General Dwight David Eisenhower addressed, via Order of the Day, the men who were girding themselves to battle the forces of the Third Reich on European soil. General Eisenhower admonished each man to fight with bravery and prayed to almighty God for His guidance in the accomplishment of this daunting task.

As the ranking officer in charge of Operational Order: OMEGA, I wish that I too had such inspirational words as the General had for his troops that day. I don't, but I will say this: The war - irrespective of what Historians will call it - is effectively over for the armed forces of the United States in Europe. In the name of Democracy, in the name of freedom, in the name of protecting the best interests of our allies and adhering to the principals and treaties of international agreements we engaged the Soviet Union and her allies on the European front and elsewhere for the better part of four difficult years. Our enemy fought savagely, and without quarter, wantonly using weapons of mass destruction against civilian populations.

Even so, all of you committed yourselves to the battle without flinching, without reservation and fought as well as, if not better than, your training prepared you to. Even when faced with the loss of our previously un-challenged air supremacy, even after the wicked and horrific criminal use of nuclear weapons against our homes and loved ones in the United States, you fought on with unflagging valor, with unremitting vigor, and with unparalleled tenacity.

The history books tell us of Thermopylae, of Agincourt, of Bunker Hill, Bellau Wood, Iwo Jima, Bastogne, the Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sahn...new names are to be spoken with solemnity alongside those now; the names of places like Kalisz, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Cologne and many, many more.

One of the clarion calls of this war was "Good luck, you're on your own." Even as my own position came under enemy fire time and again, I prayed to God that He would watch over each of you. As horrible as a price we have paid, in blood and indeed as it seemed at times with our very souls, know that for my part you were never on your own.

I'm proud of each and every one of you. Damn proud. In the course of operations in Europe, we repelled every major offensive the Soviets could mount. We reunited Germany. We destroyed the Soviet's ability to fight and all things considered left the German and majority of our Western European allies in as good a shape as could be hoped for in these desperate times. Some of you will return home where, God willing, you will be able to reunite with your loved ones and engage in an even greater task, that of picking up the pieces and rebuilding our Nation. A few of you have chosen or been selected to redeploy to Southwest Asia, to help secure the vital petroleum, oil, and lubricants so desperately needed throughout the world not just by the United States but her allies as well. To you I say: Godspeed, and may God bless you, your comrades, and the United States of America.

GEN Thomas M. Smith, Commander, USAEUR

1 OCT 2000

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If you are reading this then you have received this handout upon boarding one of the vessels of TF34. If you have been dispatched to remain in continental Europe, please refer to section I-c, if you are to be deployed to the RDF operational area in the Southwest Asian theater, please refer to section II-c. Otherwise, please read on.

The operation now underway that is transporting you (and possibly your dependents) home should take approximately one week to ten days, weather depending. TF34s departure from Bremen will occur when the final responding units have all boarded and perimeter security personnel are embarked on the USS John Hancock. On board you are responsible for any and all personal effects. Food (two meals daily), water, adequate medical care, berth space and stowage will all be provided for you. Additionally, passengers on each transport will have access to out-processing and disposition adjustment personnel to assist with necessary paperwork and settlement information upon return to Norfolk, VA. Be aware that equal services will be provided in Norfolk; the onboard resources will help assist in quicker outprocessing but are not mandatory.

Due to prevailing conditions on board, female service personnel and female dependents cannot be provided separate berthing excepting during medical examination or medical emergency.

ONBOARD FACILITIES:

FOOD:
As mentioned food will be served twice daily, at 09:30 and 17:00 ship's time. An announcement will be made prior to each meal. Meals will consist of one (1) MRE per person. No provision has been made for special dietary or religious considerations! Additionally, at request dried milk "formula" is available for children of dependents who require it. "Missed" meals may be made up by presenting an unpunched ration card (included in this packet) and ID or dependent ID. Loss of this card does not mean you will not be fed; a new card will be issued as needed. Please retain your card as it will assist ship's crew in accurately tallying what if any replenishment might be needed should the voyage take longer.

MEDICAL FACILITIES
DUE TO EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES DENTAL CARE WILL BE EXTREMELY LIMITED.

ANY PERSONNEL WITH FIELD MEDIC (OR GREATER) EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ASSIST SHOULD THE NEED ARISE.

Seasickness pills are available through the sickbay/dispensary. Aspirin is the only available analgesic. Some antibiotics are available: PLEASE NOTIFY SHIPBOARD MEDICAL PERSONNEL OF ANY ANTIBIOTIC ALLERGIES IMMEDIATELY WHEN REPORTING FOR TREATMENT.

As needed, basic OB/GYN care is available; don't be afraid to ask!

SANITARY FACILITIES
Buckets and basic soap and clean water are available at distribution points on all decks. If you or your dependents have or suspect you have lice, you must be shaved to the scalp. Your clothes must be disposed of - new ones will be provided.

Each vessel has onboard toilet facilities which should be adequate for the number of personnel; each MRE kit will contain toilet paper and "wet naps", both of which are flushable. Please note some ships are converted vehicle carriers; toilet facilities on these consist of chemical toilets which will be emptied on a regular basis.

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A note on "The Law of the Sea":

As mentioned in your embarkation orders, personal weapons must be secured. ANY PERSON FOUND WITH AN UNSECURED WEAPON OF ANY KIND WILL FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND CONFINEMENT TO LAST NO LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF TRANSPORTATION. ANY PERSONNEL WHO VIOLATE UCMJ STATUTES WILL BE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE PUNITIVE ACTION BY CAPTAIN AND CREW OF THE VESSEL THEY ARE ON SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY COMMAND STAFF LOCATED ON TF34 AS CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT.

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(Anyone interested in a "Part 2"?)