Read the story associated with these photos at DefendAmerica


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — A child awaits the return of his grandfather aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, Sept. 25, 2005, as the ship returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. USS Normandy is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — Family and friends greet U.S. Navy sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy as the ship returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 25, 2005, following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Normandy is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — Line handlers stand by as the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 25, 2005, following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kauffman is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — The guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 25, 2005, following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kauffman is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — U.S. Navy Seaman Recruit Gabriel Wiesman (left) and Fireman Matthew Shille pass the time aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman as it returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 25, 2005, following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kauffman is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — U.S. Navy Seaman John Nacrelli and Elle Ferrier, both of Philadelphia, share the traditional first kiss following the return of the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 25, 2005, after a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kauffman is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class James Baysden holds his new daughter for the first time as his wife, Crystal, looks on after the return of the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 25, 2005, following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kauffman is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Farrell weds Christy Montoya in a pier side ceremony following the return of the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 25, 2005, after a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kauffman is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Farrell kisses his new bride Christy Montoya during a pier side ceremony following the return of the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 25, 2005, after a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kauffman is an element of the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, which also returned to Norfolk Sept. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — U.S. Navy sailors man the rails as the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 27, 2005, following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kearsarge was the lead ship in the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, which departed Norfolk March 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — U.S. Navy sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge look to the pier as their ship docks at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 27, 2005, following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. USS Kearsarge was the lead ship in the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, which departed Norfolk March 25 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — Arianna Whitehead waves to her mother, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jessica Whitehead, who is stationed on board the USS Kearsarge as the ship returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 27, 2005, after successfully completing a deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kearsarge was the lead ship in the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, which departed Norfolk March 25 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory A. Roberts


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — Linehandlers haul the brow of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge ashore after the ship's arrival at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 27, 2005, following a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kearsarge was the lead ship in the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, which departed Norfolk March 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula


NORFOLK HOMECOMING — The first sailors to depart the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge descend the brow to meet loved ones following the ship's arrival at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 27, 2005, after a six-month deployment in support of the Global War on Terror. The USS Kearsarge was the lead ship in the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, which departed Norfolk March 25. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Christopher Okula