• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Commander 5th Fleet Visits Bataan Sailors, Marines

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030417-10
Release Date: 4/17/2003 8:50:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Apprentice James Kusher, USS Bataan Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Commander 5th Fleet Vice Adm. Tim Keating visited Sailors and Marines aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) recently to congratulate the crew for the role they played in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Keating addressed the crew during an all-hands call on the flight deck and toured the ship during his one-hour stay.

He told the the crew and embarked Marines to be proud of all their accomplishments.

"For the rest of your lives, you will have the certain knowledge inside you that you contributed in a significant way to the liberation of an entire country. That should be a source of immense personal pride," said Keating.

"Freedom, justice, equal rights and human rights are the gifts you have brought to the people of Iraq. This is what you have given an entire country," Keating added. "Your names are written in gold on the pages of history."

Keating also let the crew know a date was not set for their return home, but assured the crew he would be first to tell them when the time came.

"We still have work to do," he said. "But we're going to get you home as soon as we can. My promise to you is that I will let your captain know, as soon as I know."

Crew members aboard Bataan, such as Mess Management Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Gregory Hawes, felt the speech was exact.

"It was a good speech and it boosted morale," said Hawes. "We are out here for a positive cause. Just like the admiral said, it's for the liberation of Iraq."

Marine Cpl. Brian Pagan with Combat Cargo agreed with the admiral's words of wisdom.

"He was out here to motivate us, and he brought new ideas to my mind," said Pagan. "Being a part of this mission is a real honor. And when we get back home, the honor will be waiting there, too."

Keating showed his admiration for Bataan servicemembers and the outstanding job they perform everyday.

"I am immensely proud of you," he said. "It is my personal honor and privilege to thank each and every one of you."

Keating also reminded Bataan's crew to stay alert until the end.

"Stay ready, keep your eyes and ears open. Watch out for the person standing next to you," he said "It is just as risky on the last day of the cruise as it is on the first."

Keating closed his speech with advice and a prayer.

"When you get home, luxuriate in that certain knowledge that you have contributed in a magnificent way to this most noble of causes in which we are engaged. God bless each and every one of you, God bless the United States Marine Corps, God bless the United States Navy, and God bless our United States of America."

The ship and embarked Marines are components of Commander Task Force 51, which departed their respective homeports of Norfolk, Va., and Camp Lejuene, N.C, in January, for an unscheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.