by Josie Kapral
Wil Block is too little to count to 186, but that is the longest number of consecutive days he has spent without his father, LT Robert Block. His mother, Meghan Block, had Wil place stickers on a little board for every day that his dad was “missed” during that time to help Wil better understand what was happening and let him know that his father was not forgotten. The Block family is just one of several families who waited for 186 days to see the sailors of the USS California (SSN 781) return to their homeport at the Naval Subbase in New London. The USS California (SSN 781) had been gone since July, making port visits in Spain, Norway, France, Scotland and finally the last stop Groton, CT.
Finally, the day had arrived. It was January 24th. Predictions for frigid and snowy weather were a big concern, especially for the three families with newborns who were also waiting for the fathers of the newborns to meet their little ones for the first time. Fortunately, there was no major accumulation that day, but it was very cold, windy, and the rain was not very kind. However, the families braved it out on the pier. Some waited in their cars to avoid the wind and rain, while others bundled up and huddled with their families and friends eager to catch the first glimpse of the USS California (SSN 781) as it pulled into the pier.
As soon as the crowd saw the tugboat, the cheers began, people were whistling, wives and friends were crying out of happiness knowing that this was the day they had been waiting for. This was the day they felt would never come. The families lined up along the barriers set up by the base to watch their loved ones step off the submarine and down the pier and eventually into the arms of the ones they missed for months.
Valerie Dye, waited with her son, 14 month old, Marcus, as her husband, Electronics Technician Third Class Andrew Dye, walked toward her to give her the infamous “first kiss.” After that, the fathers who had not yet met their newborns, began to make their appearances and kiss their babies for the first time. One of these fathers was LT Chris Medford, whose son, Jackson was born earlier that month. His wife, Stephanie Medford, held Jackson in her arms as she was met with her own long awaited kiss.
LT Robert Block smiled as his eyes met his wife, Meghan Block. He held her tightly and kissed his son little William “Wil” Block. “Isn’t mommy beautiful?!” he exclaimed to Wil.
Needless to say, Wil did not have to put any more stickers on that board that night.