“WE STAND BY YOU”: THE GERMAN NAVY SENDS A CLEAR SIGNAL AFTER 9/11

In September 2001, the German destroyer Lütjens and the American USS Winston S. Churchill happened to be in port together in Plymouth, England. The crews mixed quickly, struck up friendships and even played soccer together when time allowed.

During the terrorist attacks on 11 September it was afternoon in England, and the USS Churchill was at sea for an exercise that was due to run until 18 September. The German Lütjens, on the other hand, was already set to leave on 14 September. Shaken by the terrible events, the captain of the German ship asked for permission after sailing to come alongside the American destroyer. As the German warship closed in on the Churchill, the American sailors saw that the entire crew of the Lütjens had “manned the rail,” in other words fallen in on deck. On a bed sheet the German soldiers had written “We Stand By You,” and above the banner the American and the German flag flew side by side at half mast.Eyewitnesses on the USS Churchill reported that there was not a dry eye on board as the Lütjens passed them. The gesture meant so much to the Americans that the bed sheet is now in their possession and recently went through extensive restoration work so it can be put on display for future generations.

A brotherhood nobody else understands.