Hundreds welcome sailors home
Thankful father visits his son on navy ship
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The chance of a lifetime was presented to Bill Wagner of Osgood, when he was invited to spend time on the USS Belleau Wood with his son Vincent, who is a 2rd Class Navy Petty Officer.

Wagner flew to Hawaii on October 15, where he along with other civilians boarded the USS Belleau Wood and traveled to a port in San Diego, CA. There a welcome banner was flown across the sky that read "Welcome Home Heroes USS Belleau Wood." The sailors had been gone for five months.

Getting to experience everything from operation of the boilers in the bottom to steering the ship, Wagner said the best part of the trip was getting to spend time with his son. "I'm not only proud of what he does in the Navy - he repairs aircraft electronics - I'm just proud of him," Wagner noted.

He is also proud of all those who serve in the military saying they definitely do not get enough credit for what they do. The amphibious assault ship his son was on had just returned from a deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.

Petty Officer Wagner was one of more than 5,000 sailors and marines embarked with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). According to information from the Department of the Navy news center, while on deployment, more than 60 air-combat sorties were launched from Belleau Wood's flight deck. The full-length flight deck as described by Wagner can handle 10 helicopters simultaneously, as well as AV-8 Harrier jump-jet aircraft and the OV-10 Bronco fixed-wing turboprop reconnaissance aircraft.

Wagner noted that the flight deck and the hanger bay were the only areas where you could see out. The rest of the ship was enclosed giving the feeling of a total self-contained city.

The Belleau Wood has multiple RAM missile stations, a number of 20-mm close-in weapons, .50-caliber and 25-mm mounts, as well as other self-protection systems. Wagner was impressed with the hospital, which is one of largest hospitals afloat with

300 beds, four operating rooms and three dental operating stations.

While on deployment, the Belleau Wood crew helped save 12 crewmen of an Indonesian vessel sinking in the Persian Gulf. The ESG also successfully disembarked more than 2,000 marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit into Kuwait.

Wagner was in awe of what takes place on the ship itself. "Just think what it would take to feed 5,000 people three meals a day," he noted. The Belleau Wood can carry a full Marine battalion as well as supplies and equipment needed in an assault. It can land the marines either by helicopter or amphibious aircraft and is manned by nearly 1,000 Navy personnel.

Seeing artillery that can produce 4500 rounds a minute, watching the ship being refueled with hundreds of gallons of fuel while at sea, seeing fresh water being made from salt water, were just some of the things Wagner saw while at sea.

"All the parts, equipment, and tools it takes to keep the ship afloat is simply amazing," he laughed. Then on a more serious note, "When I see these kids with weapons and gear, they're amazing," he said.
Telling of their sleeping conditions all packed in tight, Wagner said, "These kids give up a lot." He continued by saying there were at least two parents who wouldn't go on the ship once they saw where they would be staying.

Fighting to hold back the tears, Wagner said, "These kids don't get enough credit - they just don't. Whether you agree or disagree with the war, you can't find fault with these guys," he continued.

Saying his son has had a "tremendous opportunity" in getting to serve in the US Navy, he said he's been to Iraq twice and traveled to many other countries while serving his four year stint with the military. Well, it will be four years in August of 2005.

Whether the sailor will sign on again is not certain. One thing was certain. When he arrived in port there was a wife, Victoria, and two children, Heaven, 4, and William, 1, who were anxious for his return, a father and mother (Cathy), who love and support him.

The sailor's mother was waiting for his arrival in San Diego and was able to visit with him for a short period. Navy Petty Officer Wagner is the only son of Bill and Cathy Wagner of Osgood.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The USS Belleau Wood ship that carried 5,000 sailors and marines on a recent deployment.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

3rd Class Navy Petty Officer Vincent Wagner, left, with dad Bill Wagner, who recently was able to join his son on the USS Belleau Wood.