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Cable Flies Homeward Bound Pennant The Homeward Bound Pennant is flown when an U.S. Naval ship is stationed overseas continuously for a period of over nine months and returns home to a port in the U.S. “We consider this a mark of pride for ourselves, because we are able to go show off our command, show off our Navy, and we are acting as the representatives upholding Navy tradition,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) Joseph McGwin. The pennant was made by Frank Cable Sailors McGwin and Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class April Suarez. The two worked nine days straight to complete the task. “It was an experience and frustrating at times, but when it was all said and done, we felt a sense of success,” said Suarez. “ McGwin said the stitching was tuff. He claimed that they could only stitch eight inches of material at a time due to the size of the table. He also mentioned it was hard to keep the stitches straight because of its massive length. The pennant measured 165-feet representing the 165 Sailors that were on board for the transition from Guam to Portland. Suarez said they made the pennant out of canvas which they purchased from a store in Guam. The stars were made with herculite, a more durable material, so they would hold their strength in the wind. The red, white and blue pennant wore 15 white stars which symbolized the Frank Cable’s 93 months, a nearly eight year’s, absence from American’s port. The first white star stood for 9 months overseas and each of the following 14 stars represented six months away from the mainland. McGwin and Suarez were recognized as the Frank Cable’s Sailor’s of the Week for their hard work. During the group photo, they were placed at the front next to the commanding officer. “It made me feel good and it made me feel like I done something worth while being here,” said Suarez. The pennant will be distributed throughout the crew when they arrive in Portland. Each officer and enlisted Sailor will be given a piece of the red and white section. The commanding officer, Capt. Pete Hildreth, will be given the blue portion and the stars. Frank Cable is temporarily relieved from conducting maintenance of submarines and service vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility by submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and is currently in the Pacific Ocean headed to Portland, Ore. for a regular overhaul and dry-docking. |
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