SAN DIEGO — They survived almost a year of hostile seas, cramped quarters, weeks without touching dry land, and supply-chain problems that left their food less than ideal. But when the sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln walked into the loving crowd at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, they were greeted like rock stars.
Hundreds of family members, friends, fellow sailors, and Marines gathered at the base on Oct. 8 to welcome home the USS Abraham Lincoln and its crew after a deployment of more than 10 months that included a record 265 uninterrupted days at sea.
"It feels incredible. It’s been too long, too long," said Joel Davis, moments before being embraced by his wife Melanie. Kneeling to greet his son, Joel immediately
placed his peaked hat on the boy’s head before swooping him up for a big hug.
"You’re looking pretty good!" said Davis. "More mature, more grown up."
The Lincoln drew scrutiny earlier this year after its deployment dragged on months past its scheduled return to Southern California. Reports of low morale and deteriorating mental health among sailors accompanied leaked messages from sailors complaining of food shortages. Eight sailors attempted suicide during the historic deployment, though none died.
Hardships at sea give way to emotional family reunions
In the crowd, waiting family members acknowledged the issues faced aboard the ship.
"Hunger, like the food, access to food," Mel Hardman from Atlanta, who was waiting to greet her son, 20-year-old Jacob, said when asked about her son’s experience. "The morale has been down."
But the lowlights seemed to fade away as hundreds of white-clad men and women descended into the bright glare of a perfect San Diego day.
Terrence Stokes grinned from ear to ear as he was reunited with his daughter, Myra, his partner, Jacqueline Haverson, and his father, Terrence Stokes Sr.
"Wonderful," Stokes said when asked how he was feeling seeing his daughter again. "That’s the new one right there," he added, pointing to his baby son, Shea, whom he was meeting for the first time in person.
Stokes was one of 122 fathers from the air wing and the ship who will be meeting their children for the first time, according to Capt. Dan Keeler of the Lincoln.
'We’re proud of all the sailors on board'
In true American spirit, the reunions unfolded amid live rock music, sporadic fireworks, a bounce house for children, and a liberal smattering of commerce. Chick-fil-A provided free food for the returning sailors and erected a massive inflatable cow displaying one of the chain's slogans.
Nearby, a military-focused car dealership displayed a shiny new Jeep. Other stalls sold home security systems, and the San Diego Padres baseball team showed up with thousands of T-shirts for the returning sailors.
Family members, friends, and fellow service members expressed pride and admiration for the Lincoln's crew and its mission.
"We’re extremely proud — we’re very proud of him," said Nora Romero, holding back tears as she held a banner welcoming home her son, Noah Romero. "We’re proud of all the sailors on board."
Genesis Romero, Noah’s wife, added: "It just shows the commitment they have, and the strength and it’s a very proud and wholesome feeling."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: After months of hardship at sea, USS Lincoln sailors get rock-star welcome
