CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A sailor from Buchanan County returned home Saturday after spending 11 months aboard the USS Gerald Ford.
Travis reunited with his family after the Navy’s longest carrier deployment since the Vietnam War. He was among hundreds of sailors who returned home this week.
“A lot of high emotions, just excitement, anxiousness, very excited. We were ready just to wrap our arms around him,” said Malina, Travis’ mother.
While on board the USS Gerald Ford, the crew assisted in the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and the War with Iran.
“They started in the Middle East and then down to Venezuela and then back up to the Middle East. It’s quite crazy to think what must have gone through their minds,” said James, Travis’ father.
Travis’ parents said it was stressful waiting to hear from him during the 11 months he was away.
“I’d always wait and hear the ding on my WhatsApp. I’m like, oh my God, it’s Travis. In the days we didn’t hear from him, we were glued to the TV, trying to hear what’s going on next. Very emotional. Very stressful,” Malina said.
The deployment brought more than military conflicts. At one point a fire broke out on the ship. Travis and roughly 600 fellow sailors lost their bunks in the blaze.
“He was able to walk away from the situation with his wallet and his phone. And that is it. So many of them lost everything,” James said.
Despite the hardships of the nearly year-long deployment, Travis’ family said he plans to re-enlist.
“When he told me: ‘yes, I will re-enlist again’, it just makes a very proud mom. All he went through, he’s willing to still serve,” Malina said.
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