Vanessa Raulston said she and Abigail, her 2-year-old, had a picture of her sailor husband next to the bed, and talked to it every night. Starting Christmas Eve, it’ll be the real thing.
Just in time for the holiday, sailors and Marines aboard the USS Peleliu Wednesday returned to a joyful throng of loved ones at Naval Base San Diego. Some saw their children for the first time.
Asked about how she felt, Tracy Davis, with twins in tow, said: “I’m relieved. I told the kids that Santa is bringing Daddy home for Christmas.”
She added: “If it had been one day longer, I don’t know if I could have survived.”
Originally set to return Dec. 19, the Peleliu peeled off for duty in the Philippines in the wake of Super Typhoon Hagupit.
Jessica Sharbono said her husband, Dustin, won the lottery for the ceremonial first kiss after landing.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “I wasn’t sure when they were going to come back.”
The 820-foot-long, 25-ton-plus amphibious assault ship will be decommissioned in March after 34 years of service, during which it deployed 17 times and covered millions of miles, according to Naval Surface Forces’ public affairs office.
The Peleliu is the last of the Navy’s five Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships to be in service. The Navy began decommissioning that class of warship in 2005.
Starting next year, the Navy is expected to replace them with America-class amphibious assault ships, which are designed to carry helicopters and other small aircraft that can help transport troops from ship to shore more easily.
During its final deployment, the Peleliu conducted exercises throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and made port visits in Guam, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore. The deployment lasted about six months.
“Peleliu and her crew performed superbly throughout the deployment… I am proud to have served with such outstanding sailors and Marines during the ship’s final deployment,” said Commodore Heidi Agle, commander of Amphibious Squadron 11.
Added the ship’s skipper, Capt. Paul Spedero: “The crew routinely stepped up and exceeded my expectations during this challenging final deployment and I know that would not have been possible without the enormous support of our families and friends back at home.”
The Peleliu was named for the World War II Battle of Peleliu, during which 1,256 Marines died while fighting to gain control of the small island, part of the nation of Palau.
— City News Service contributed to this report.
Joshua Labbe holds his son, Brodin, 3, after return of the Peleliu to San Diego.
Capt. Paul C. Spedero Jr. , the Peleliu’s commanding officer, describes the crew’s work after the super typhoon in the Philippines.
Lyndon Natividad embraces his 6-month-old daughter, Ellina, who was born after his deployment. He said he Skyped with his wife, but was excited to see them Wednesday.
Relatives enthusiastically greeted their sailors at Naval Base San Diego.
Children of Matthew Nidezwiecki run to meet their father at Naval Base San Diego.
Relatives greeted their sailors at Naval Base San Diego.
Sailor sets eyes on his child for the first time Wednesday at Naval Base San Diego.
Jessica and Dustin Sharbono share the ceremonial first kiss.
Children greeted their sailor dads at Naval Base San Diego.
A tear falls as Joshua Labbe meets his daughter for the first time.
Peleliu arrives at Naval Base San Diego on Christmas Eve.
Families gather to greet loved ones as Peleliu arrives as Naval Base San Diego.
Joshua Labbe holds son, Brodin, as Peleliu arrives as Naval Base San Diego.
Makaila Rodriguez holds sign with a universal sentiment. First she will set out cookies for Santa, and then plans to visit SeaWorld with her dad.
Sailor father greets his newborn as Peleliu arrives as Naval Base San Diego.
Dustin Sharbono (center) walks to greet his wife for the first kiss.
Sailors and Marines aboard Peleliu carry flowers and gifts for their loved ones.
A wife, carrying her dog, spots her husband coming off the Peleliu at Naval Base San Diego and yelled: “Last deployment!”
New moms were the first to greet the returning sailors and Marines Families gather to greet loved ones at Naval Base San Diego.
A relative expectantly looks for her family member to debark from the Peleliu.
New mothers and their older children walk to the Peleliu to greet the service members.
Sailors look down as families gather on the dock at Naval Base San Diego.
Brodin Labbe waits for his father to arrive aboard Peleliu at Naval Base San Diego.
A new mother waits for her husband at Naval Base San Diego.
Families held up signs greeting sailors and Marines at Naval Base San Diego.
Bria Hopkins displayed her “to-do” list. She said she looked forward to her father reading her stories.
Daughter waves as Peleliu comes into Naval Base San Diego.
Blake Davis, 2, comes to greet his dad along with his twin sister and mother, Tracy.
Adriana Cantu holds her son, almost a year old.
Brodin Labbe readies sign for his dad at Naval Base San Diego.
