12/25/01--

Merry Christmas.
It was here one moment and now
it's gone. Cut and paste
then zap to waste.
I stared in wonder at how
something so carefully wrought,
raised on double-checked thought
could so quickly vanish
into thin air.
And why do I care?
Nada y pues nada y pues nada.
But I do, and I mourn its loss.

On Christmas Eve.
A journey to a distant place
four hours by express train
conjured up memories that yet remain
of another country and of warmer days.
Feelings so carefully packed and buried
stirred 'neath the snow and at me requeried
if they were then just as real
as this invisible air.
And why do I still care?
Nada y pues nada y pues nada.
But oh, there was something.

It vibrated through the still, chill air
and crackled.

US navy postpones visit in "light of public sentiment"
Kyodo News, 02/14/2001

YOKOSUKA, Japan -- The US Navy in Japan said Wednesday [14 February] it will postpone a destroyer's planned visit to Otaru port in Hokkaido in light of public sentiment following a collision between a US nuclear submarine and Japanese training ship last week.

The 8,422-ton guided missile destroyer John S. McCain was scheduled to visit the port 20-23 February but the navy put off the visit considering the sentiment of the general public and people whose relatives remain missing after the collision, the navy headquarters in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, said.

Nine people, including four 17-year-old high-school students, have been missing since the 499-ton Ehime Maru, a fisheries training ship, sank after being rammed from below by the 6,080-ton nuclear submarine Greeneville off Hawaii.

ENS Morgan Roberts, the Auxiliaries Officer (AUXO),
a 2000 graduate of the Citadel. Proud Southern gentleman, A.K.A. "Goon"/"Big Country."

ENS Axel Steiner, the Communications Officer (COMMO),
a 2000 graduate of George Washington University.

Group picture. Saipan, February 1, 2001.

Chatting with Saipan's Governor and First Lady at the ship's reception on the flight deck,
first night in Saipan, February 1, 2001.