Among them was Cindy Lineberry, whose husband William is a chief on the USS Russell, and who was accompanied by her mother and daughter. Janet Milot said she and her three children had been monitoring the whole incident in Southern China because her husband, Lt. Marc Milot, is a Navy surveillance plane pilot. She said she feels connected to the crew because her husband is a Navy pilot out flying now. We hate to get that call. She said that they had put yellow ribbons around the trees and their antennas showing support for the crew members.
Today is truly an awesome occasion.
We're all very proud of you. You've conducted yourselves the past few weeks with the high spirit of professionalism that you demonstrate in the service of your country every day. We're lucky to have men and women like you protecting the interest of our nation. Fargo read a letter from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld welcoming the crew back to the United States. You put your lives at risk in the service of a great nation.