Bryan's Homecoming - Another OpLove assignment

Scott_Quier

I'm an Operation: Love Reunited photographer. As such, a couple of months ago I was asked by the fience of a sailor aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) if I would be available to photograph the homecoming of the ship after a 7 month deployment.

Ship was due in at around 10:00AM. She arrived at the pier at 5:30AM and it was COLD. I arrived around 6:30AM. The sun came out and started burning me to a crisp at around 8:30. The ship did actually tie up around 10:00. My client's hero came off the ship at around 11:15.

Here are some of the shots from the event:

1. Ohhhh, the wait - she was up half the night and so very tense/excited/etc waiting for the ship. After a while, it got to be toooo much.


2. The ship coming up the James River, making it's way to Norfolk Naval Station (home!)


3. Welcome Home -- I missed you!! The ship's compliement is, nominally, approx 3,000 sailors. Add the air wing, support, contractors, etc and the estimate I heard was that there were approximately 5,000 people on the ship as it arrived in Norfolk. To meet the ship .... the estimate I heard was 20,000 people.


3a. The ship's compliement is, nominally, approx 3,000 sailors. Add the air wing, support, contractors, etc and the estimate I heard was that there were approximately 5,000 people on the ship as it arrived in Norfolk. To meet the ship .... the estimate I heard was 20,000 people. This is just a small sampling, early in the wait. It got lots more crowded later!



4. Bryan, where are you and when are you getting off the ship?


5. Days apart: 222, Emails sent: 979, Seeing my bear - Priceless


6. Welcome Home!!!


7. It took two guys to carry all his stuff 'cause he wasn't going back to the ship for quite some time.


8. Ummmm ... let's stop for a moment


9. Uuuummmmm .... and again


10. Mom and Dad and Bryan and all his stuff


The Department of Defense requires all OpLove photographer include the following in any publication:

The photographs and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

Art Scott

very cool.....even the leaning ones:D
made a tear trickle down my cheek.:cry

Scott_Quier

Art Scott wrote:

very cool.....even the leaning ones:D
made a tear trickle down my cheek.:cry

The leaning ones were on purpose ... oh, I guess you already knew that

As for the emotion - well, that's nothing compared to what happens to me during some of these.

divamum

Thank you so much for posting these Scott - what a great initiative the OpLove project is!

marikris

These are so heartwarming! It brought me back down memory lane - I was on the Stennis a couple of times and my husband was on the Vincent. I remember when his ship docked off Norfolk, it was just like this!

PS. I really don't miss my sea bag, but it was really nice to be able to pack your entire life in one bag - even if it's heavier than you

VayCayMom

Awwwww Bless you, Bless them all!

Scott_Quier

VayCayMom wrote:

Awwwww Bless you, Bless them all!

It can be a lot of work with minimal rewards. Often I don't hear from the client after all the deliverables have been delivered. But, I don't do it for the pat on the back either. I have ulterior motives. I do it for my own sense of self-worth.

picturegirl

I really ejoyed the pics! You really captured the emotion of the day, I could almost feel what she was feeling! I can see where this would make you feel good to do something like this for someone!

ront

Very cool indeed Scott!!!! I admire all of the men and women serving our country. It is very nice that you record their homecoming this way.

Ron

Karrie McD

Awesome Scott!

Hits close to home... great pics!!!!

ShepsMom

Yes, welcome home indeed!! Nice set Scott. These will definitely evoke some emotions!