In a few hours the anchor will be hoisted and we'll leave Cambodia. It should take no more than several days to reach Singapore, in the beginning of July, where I'll meet up with my wonderful husband and we'll tour Singapore and Malaysia before heading home. Because I obtained special access to post (civilian communication is down for the remainder of this leg of the trip related to a desire to notify next-of-kin of a tragedy before it leaks via the internet), this will be my last entry.
There will be a "man overboard" and "abandon ship" drill tomorrow. Unlike a civilian cruise ship, the only thing standing between my work or my becoming a "man overboard" is a small chain between sections of thin rail. The chief engineer explained that ships frequently leave pipes and wires exposed to discourage personnel from becoming complacent. Although we are civilians on a peaceful mission, the rationale explained to us is that the USNS Mercy is used for training active duty military personnel and their survival may depend upon maintaining a hypervigilant state of readiness.
The remainder of the time will be used by civilian medical volunteers to sleep, catch up with each other, use the gym and library, and take photographs of the helicopters and side-by-side vessel refueling. There will also be group photographs and a meal with ice cream for dessert is planned.
Representing Project HOPE, I attended the closing ceremony for the Pacific Partnership aboard the Japanese battleship. USNS Mercy, learning lessons from the Titanic, does not have any horizontal space that spans the entire ship. The ship is divided into vertical zones so that, if leaking, it can stay afloat. The Kunasaki (Japanese ship), on the other hand, has a huge horizontal room the size of a football field. That's where the ceremony was held.
We were brought from our ship to theirs by boat on a very choppy sea. We pulled alongside their ship and a large ramp was extended with a waiting line of officers who greeted us with bows and plastic keepsake fans printed with "Pacific Partnership" in Japanese and English. Enlisted crew, in matching ties and aprons, carried trays of the local Cambodia Angkor Wat beer, juices, and cola, which they offered us with welcoming smiles.
The flags of the partnership countries graced the wall and there were large tables with mounds of beautifully displayed foods: sushi, sashimi, cake, fruit beautifully sculpted, fresh seafood of all types imaginable, tiny wrapped packages containing steamed rice with pork, and beautiful vegetables and piles and piles of artfully arranged flowers. There were 2 stations set up like American carving/omelet stations, one with tempura and the other with skewers of meat. Each of us had what looked like a miniature tv tray with a cup holder, chopsticks, small plastic fork, and napkin.
There were a lot of speeches - all extremely moving - about our work for the people of Cambodia and the mission of world peace. Our American ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia was there (she is very impressive), as were the German ambassador, French ambassador, the leader of Cambodia, the Secretary of State of Cambodia, the leaders of the the Cambodian military, and many, many, many generals and admirals from Cambodia, Japan, and the USA. Our Commodore, Lisa Franchetti, was her usual warm and personable self. Regardless of rank and importance, everyone visited with each other; it was a gregarious, joyful, saki-filled celebration.
I was allowed to sit in a Japanese mini-sub because it was the only air-conditioned place on the ship and I was feeling a little overcome after working a full week of long shifts (and drinking my first beer). They were very kind to me and after a few moments I rejoined the party.
During the event, and off to the side, a power point presentation with music was showed photographs of everything that occurred during the mission. Also mentioned was the return by the USA to Cambodia of precious relics sharp U.S. Customs Agents confiscated from dealers engaged in smuggling. When the speeches were over our Commodore and the Japanese Commodore and 2 other VIPs were invited to don kimonos and lift mallets to beat on a ceremonial drum. They were asked to gently break the top of the drum, which revealed a HUGE container filled with sake - a Japanese keg party!
Then there was a samurai display of martial arts and everyone was invited to ask questions, take photographs, etc. My daughter Lisa's attendance at Kansai Gansai University made me a huge hit with the nurses, one of whom lives near the school. The evening ended when I boarded the first ship back to ours as I was scheduled to work my usual night shift.
Well, this is it for me. One of my proudest moments was when a higher-up asked me to remain aboard after Singapore. This was a big challenge for me, physically and emotionally, and I am so thankful I had the honor to serve others and to serve my country.
Thank you so much for keeping this mission in your prayers.
See you stateside!
