The USO Helps Families of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Celebrate and Reunite during Homecoming

The USO Mid-Atlantic, supported by the USO-NFL Mobile Gaming Trailer team, played a pivotal role in the joyous homecoming of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower at Norfolk Naval Station on June 14, 2024. The event marked the return of the aircraft carrier after a lengthy deployment, bringing relief and happiness to the families eagerly waiting on the pier.

The atmosphere on the pier was electric with anticipation. Mothers and fathers clutched their children tightly, eyes scanning the horizon for the first glimpse of the massive carrier.

Signs reading “Welcome Home” and “We Missed You” were held high, each one a testament to the love and longing felt during the months of separation. When the ship finally came into view, the crowd erupted in cheers and tears of joy, the culmination of months of hope and patience.

“It has been a long nine months, and my family and I are excited to finally welcome home my wife, Petty Officer First Class Victoria Umpierrez,” said Navy Chief Joshua Briggs, who is currently assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic (FRCMA). “Being a mil-to-mil couple has had it challenges this year, and our little two-year old girl was barely 15-months old when she last saw her mom.”

In the silent sacrifices behind every deployment, these families endure months of separation, navigating the distance between duty and home, serving our nation with resilience, love and strength. Amidst the cheers, tears and hugs is a moment etched in time where families are reunited, and the sweetest hellos are exchanged.

“I missed my baby girl so much,” said Victoria after she had reunited with her family. Her eyes filled with tears as she hugged her two-year-old daughter tightly. “Mommy’s so glad to finally be home with you and daddy.”

USO Support for Military Families

The USO’s support was instrumental in ensuring that the USS Eisenhower homecoming was a memorable and heartwarming experience for everyone involved.

In anticipation of the USS Eisenhower’s return, the local USO team coordinated a series of events and activities designed to support the families of the sailors. Recognizing the emotional strain of long deployments, the USO set up welcome tents adorned with festive decorations and provided refreshments, including snacks, cold drinks, a “welcome home” sign making station and various other yard games and crafts, easing the anxieties of waiting family members.

“As a retired Naval Officer, seeing all these families brave the heat and humidity to finally reunite with their loved one after a long and stressful deployment was truly heart-warming and reminded me of my own homecomings,” said Kenneth Miller, Senior Area Operations Manager, USO Mid-Atlantic, Southern Virginia. “To be able to be out here answering a question from a parent and handing a child a frozen Flavor Ice, providing these families a sense of relief brings a smile to my face and reminds me of why I choose to be part of the USO’s mission.”

USO Center Aboard the USS Eisenhower

During the deployment, the USO maintained a dedicated Center aboard the USS Eisenhower, offering a crucial morale boost to the deployed sailors. This Center was a haven of comfort and connectivity, featuring amenities such as video game consoles, computers with internet access and a wide selection of books and movies.

The USO Center served as a place where service members could unwind, communicate with their loved ones back home and enjoy some much-needed leisure time amidst their demanding duties. The impact of the USO’s support was evident in the service members’ expressions of gratitude upon their return.

“The USO Center onboard the ship was definitely a space where I could get away and find some peace and quiet, which is sometimes hard to do on carrier with over 6,000 personnel on it in the middle of the ocean,” said Victoria.

The USO’s support of the USS Eisenhower’s homecoming was a testament to our enduring mission to strengthen the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families. The USO ensured that the homecoming was not just an event, but a celebration of reunion and love, filled with the warmth and comfort of a community that understands the sacrifices made by its heroes.