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Article: USS Cole's Wounded Return to Va.; Cheering of Crowd, Families' Reunion Mix Joy With Grief Over Attack
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 16, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The sailors, some with bruised and bandaged faces, others limping
badly, walked off the aircraft one by one as a Navy band struck up
"Anchors Aweigh." Tentatively at first, then in waves, family members
came rushing across the tarmac to greet them.
Some of the injured advanced with the help of canes and crutches
before being enveloped in hugs. Children were thrown onto fathers'
shoulders.
Those unable to walk were carried off the plane on stretchers to
sustained applause and cheers from the more than 1,500 sailors in
dress white uniforms turned out for the arrival.
One sailor with a leg injury waved happily to the crowd and
cameras from his wheelchair.
The emotional arrival this afternoon of ...