Thank you for supporting us humble submariners.

Good evening, all, from Rota, Spain. First, I would like to extend a very warm and heartfelt thanks, not just from me, but from all my shipmates and friends abour the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul. Your prayers and kind words of support really do go a long way to help us through the loss of our two friends and shipmates. I would like to also thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support you showed for my wonderful wife Leilani. She is EVERYTHING in my world and it tore me up for a few days knowing that there were still so many questions she had that were left unanswered. It was comforting to me knowing that there are so many people that care about her so close by. You all have my deepest gratitude. I would love to sit down with a beer and personally tell each and every one of you exactly what happened and how, and hopefully there will come a time soon when many of us will do just that. The healing process is well-underway as we speak and, as always, life goes on for us. Each day, as the process progresses, we recieve a little more closure. Today we shipped the personal effects of Tom and Mike back to the families which will hopefully provide them a little more comfort. We had a memorial service Monday on the submarine then again Wednesday in the Naval Station chapel where not one person, but practically EVERYONE eulogized Mike and Tom in their own personal way. For my part, Mike was a great kid...an intellectual who, despite the nearly constant drowsy, tired look, could always be counted on to make the right call and someone who ALWAYS had your back. Tom was the epitome of what the term Navy Chief is all about. Look up the word in the dictionary, and you see Tom's picture. Tom was a good friend and mentor to me (yes, even with all my years of experience...he had MORE!) and to all those who had the privilege to serve with him. As they say in Hollywood; The show must go on, and go on it shall. With the memory of two of the finest shipmates, submariners and Americans one could ever ask for. Thank you all again so very much and God bless. -Paul

Paul: Thank YOU for your service and sacrifice for our great country. I was very saddened to hear of the loss. I will continue to keep you, the families and all of our servicemen and women in my payers daily. I hope someday I have the honor or meeting you and your lovely wife, who I have had the pleasure of "speaking" with via this forum. Take care of yourself, Paul, and thank you for posting!

. True to my word, I ran here after we got off the phone and of course the emotions surfacing go beyond mere words. I'll also share this with our friends on TEK's site. They were equally as concerned and will be thrilled to read a 'personal' update. If I haven't said it enough in our calls these last 3 days, I LOVE YOU, so very much ....heart and soul.

Paul, It is so good to hear from you. You and your ship mates have my thoughts and prayers as you heal from your loss. Your beautiful wife is such a wonderful support for the rest of us and deserves the best we can give her. Courtney

Paul, Thank you for the personal note. I am so sorry for your loss, the families' loss and for the loss suffered by your shipmates. We all love Leilani and would be here for her no matter what...... she is a wonderful friend and I am so privilaged to know her.... she is always there for us and we would always be here for her.... I am glad that you are safe and hope soon you two can be united ...... Jackie

Paul, your devotion, dedication and love for sweet Leilani is so touching to me. You are a wonderful person and I wouldn't expect anything less from someone who Lei loves as much as she loves you!! Yes, we were all terribly concerned, and of course as supportive as we could be to Lei, but it was a dark time for all of us as we waited to hear the news that you were well. And just very thankful when we did. My prayers continue to be with you Paul, that you will be safe where ever you are, and that the people you serve with will also return home safely. Can't wait to see you again Paul. love donna

AWWWWWWWWWWW, you have a puter on board the sub!!! How totally cool!!! Thank you for emailing us................I so do appreciate that you took the time. Can't wait to sit down with you in APRIL? and hear the entire story............and I'll need that beer!!! XOOXOXOXOOXOXOX Sharon

lol - I feel BAD hi-jacking my husbands post, but here I be. Unfortunately, he does NOT have access on the BOAT, girlfriend. Gawd, I wish. He only has it when they're docked and he can walk into town and use one of the Internet Cafe's. [sniffle sniffle] that's why submariner living can be so TOUGH. We have absolutely NO contact with our men when they're under water. No emails, no phone calls, no web access, nada. Doing the happy dance, cause we're SHORTIMERS, this is our last deployment of his career! Psssst... oh and honey, since I did hijack your thread, I love you!

*****Psssst... oh and honey, since I did hijack your thread, I love you!****** Dammit!! I thought you meant me...........I was getting all warm & fuzzy inside. NOW I'm heartbroken forever..............UNLESS.............you can find me a WHITE NINTENDO DS LITE by tomorrow........for my Hannah's birthday party. It's ALL she wanted for her bday and stupid me......I put it off till the last second and can't find ANY!!! OF ANY COLOR!!! HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!! HEY, really do look around the beach area, make some calls for me baby!!! Help a girly out!!! OXOXOOXOXOXOOXOOXXO LOVE YA!!!! Sharon

I Love you Paul, and I'm still keeping you and your shipmates and their families in my prayers. Thank you so much for writing to us, I so appreciate your kind and loving words about your lost coworkers. We were all so shocked and saddened by what happened, it brought it all so much closer to home. But I know that this is what you sign up for, and am grateful every day for the sacrifices that all of you in the armed forces make to keep our country safe and strong. Counting the days till April when you are back where you belong, till then the mermaids will be keeping lights on for ya. luv you muchly, Carole