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A Thanksgiving Post from the USS Nimitz

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We are honored to present this Thanksgiving post from one of our great Customers, Francisco Delgado, who is on active duty with the US Navy protecting our Freedom.  We wish Godspeed to Francisco and his shipmates! It is an honor to be serving in the Navy in these historic times. I left college two years ago, and enlisted in the Navy. I used to take my freedoms for granted, but ever since I have been in the Navy, I truly value the freedoms that we are given as Americans.  This past year I completed my first six month deployment in the Persian Gulf. It was during the summer, so as you can imagine, it was hot. Up on the flight deck it reached 130 degrees with no clouds in sight.  Our ship, the USS Nimitz, provided security in the Gulf as well as air support to our troops on the ground. I saw many exciting places such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, Dubai, Bahrain, and Guam. Getting to see other countries and experiencing other cultures has definitely opened my eyes to the rest of the world. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to our men and woman in uniform who are serving in our military. I am thankful for my family who has provided so much love and support when I was far away. I am also thankful for Southwest Airlines. As you may know I am living off military pay, so getting home to see family can be difficult. Because of Southwest Airlines I am able to fly home and see my family when I am in the States. Their low fares and customer service are a true part of the American spirit. I am truly blessed and humbled to be serving, and I want to say thank you to all Americans for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. I hope each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving, and I will be thinking of you when I am out at sea. Here  is a picture of me on our flight deck, and another one nearing the Golden Gate Bridge. francis delgado.JPG  francisco pic 2.JPG The Southwest Blog Team joins with Francisco in wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.  We will be posting your comments over the holiday and return with new topics on Monday, November 27.
7 Comments
Pamela_Kay
Explorer B
Thanks to you and all serving in the armed forces everyday and this time of year! I hope to have the pleasure of serving you and others in the military after I complete f/a training next year! Be safe! PK/Dallas, Texas FFA-doing the backstroke "in the pool"
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Thanks Pamela and Good luck with your flight training.
Tamra
Explorer A
Francisco, What a great post. And thank you for reminding everyone that there are many men and women who are giving so much for us here at home. I would also like to thank the families of all of our great men and women serving. These too are unsung heroes I believe. Husbands, wives, children and parents of our servicemen and women are left behind so lets please not forget them. I do not know how they do it. How brave they are! I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving, and remember to be thankful for the people in our lives, and even those we do not know, such as Francisco. Great job and I am proud of you and appreciate everything you do!
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Francisco, From one "guest blogger" to another, I want to thank you, your shipmates and ALL of our men and women of the incredible United States military branches!! Those of us who are civilians can never truly know the extent of sacrifices that each one of you make in your service to our country, but we can all appreciate it. Your thread reminds me of two bumper stickers that I have seen: "Freedom is not free" and "All gave some and some gave all" Whether at sea, on the land or in the air, you all represent our country well as you demonstrate why our military is the best one anywhere. But, I also agree with your sentiments above. Far too many people in this country take our blessings for granted, and this Thursday is more than just a day to eat turkey and take a day off from work. When we run the two words together, they start to lose some of their meaning, so I hope folks will pause to separate those words so that it reads "thanks giving", and that they will then "give thanks". Francisco, you and your colleagues in uniform are truly the ones responsible for our friends at Southwest being able to say, "YOU ARE NOW FREE TO MOVE ABOUT THE COUNTRY"!! I pray God's blessings and protection on you and that He will see you home safely as soon as possible. So, from the Lone Star State, birthplace and home of your ship's proud namesake, Admiral Chester Nimitz, best wishes for a peaceful Thanksgiving! Kim 🙂
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Tamra, thanks for your kind words. I often think about all of the children, husbands and wives, who are without their loved ones. Our familes back home play such an important role while we are away. I know my parents were my backbone while I was overseas. I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving. Francisco
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Kim, I used to attend school at Eastern New Mexico University, we used to drive to Lubbock to catch the Texas Tech games. I miss the steaks.. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I know God is watching over all of us. I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving. Francisco
kim_brennan
Explorer C
Just want to say thank you and i enjoyed reading your blog. We appreicate what you do for our country and freedom. My son, Zack Miller, is on the USS Nimitz and I hope you all are safe and look forward to the christmas holidays. thanks again. Kim