‘A quest for reassurance’

by Stan Lowe, Chairman (retired), Wyoming Veterans’ Commission
Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:54 PM MDT

For the ninth consecutive year, a seven-man contingent of officers and crew of the USS WYOMING (SSBN 742) (GOLD crew) came out again this year to visit their namesake state, arriving first in Cheyenne on Thursday, July 26, next in Casper on Sunday, July 29, and four went to Cody on Aug. 1.

“Coming home,” as crewmembers often refer to these trips, were commanding officer CDR Roger Isom, LT William Mahan, FTC(SS) Justin Sidwell (earlier he bought a plot of land near Casper for retiring in two years), MM1(SS) Ivan Ashworth (Sailor of the Year 2007), MM1(SS) Ian Painter, FT1(SS) Josh Williams and MM1(SS) Ben Hoekstra.

After returning to the USS Wyoming’S home port, Kings Bay, Ga., Mahan wrote a story about the trip for Navy publications and shared it with me. He titled it, “USS WYOMING Visits Namesake: Crew Returns Home, Changed Forever.” Mahan describes it as an “account of a personal journey, a quest for reassurance and renewal.”

He explains, “Many of us in uniform are troubled by what we see on television. Reports of our progress in Iraq and Afghanistan are a constant drumbeat of negative news. The result is America is becoming disillusioned about our ability to win, and support for our effort is eroding.

“When the fans stop cheering, we start doubting our own abilities, and a national sense of failure becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“Those of us in uniform need to know that America is proud of us, is confident in our ultimate success, and is standing behind us every step of the way.

“We in the military all joined for different reasons … But, what we discovered after joining was that these were all just excuses. Deep down, each of us was motivated by a profound love of the country that gave us freedom, including the right to choose our nation’s leaders, to chart our own course in life and to enjoy the bounty that comes from living the ‘American Dream.’

“We have an abiding faith in our traditions and our values, and we wear the uniform proudly … It is for this reason that we are so deeply affected by what seems to be a pervasive malaise.”

Then he details the fine hospitality shown them in Cheyenne, Casper and Cody, during which many people voluntarily thanked them for their service and “reassured us of their profound support.”

Mrs. Craig Thomas, speaking at the Casper Boat Club dinner, “assured us that, despite what we hear on television, the country supports us; real Americans are honored by our service,” Mahan wrote.

Throughout the story, he uses phrases like “warmth and love” and “overwhelmed with hospitality, gifts, hugs, kind words and even tears” to describe what the men experienced.

“I am here to tell you our fears were unfounded,” he asserts. “Belief in America’s greatness is alive and well in America’s heartland. There, confidence is high, and support for us in uniform is unwavering. I have seen it in the hearts and minds of the people of Wyoming.”

“He ends his story saying, “Military service is hard work … Above all, it requires an unshakable belief that preserving and protecting America is the most important calling of all Americans.

“When that profound love of country is undermined by those who predict defeat, Americans and their warriors become dispirited.

“… You see, the greatness of America is as much a state of mind as it is the sum of all its achievements. The belief that America is second to none and the freedom to prove it to the world have combined to create the greatest superpower on earth.

“The people of Wyoming embrace this mindset, and they are second to none in their unwavering support of all of America’s warriors, past and present.

“In the short time we spent there, the love, generosity, hospitality, and all around optimism about the future of America refreshed and rejuvenated these dispirited warriors … Thank you, Wyoming.”

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