Only a week ago, Capt. Richard Phillips was in a lifeboat being held hostage by Somali pirates.
Yesterday, thanks to the U.S. military, he returned home to his family.
From the Burlington Free Press:
Former pirate captive Capt. Richard Phillips returned to Vermont on Friday afternoon and walked directly into the arms of his family.
The merchant seaman, an Underhill resident, endured five days at the hands of hijackers on a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean before his rescue by U.S. Navy sharpshooters on Easter.
Reportedly a private man, Phillips stepped into the limelight when he descended the corporate jet’s ramp at 4:30 p.m. at Burlington International Airport.
He was quick to praise those who released him from captivity.
“The first people I want to thank are the (Navy) Seals,” he said. “They’re the superheroes; they’re the titans. They’re impossible men, doing an impossible job, and they did the impossible with me.”
...Phillips looked relaxed and rested after his long flight from Mombasa, Kenya. Including brief refueling stops in Malta and Santiago, Spain, the trip took about 18 hours in a Bombardier jet owned by Phillips’ employer, Maersk Line Ltd.
After a brief family reunion inside the Heritage Flight terminal — and away from the cameras — Phillips re-emerged with his wife, Andrea; his son and daughter, Daniel and Mariah; and his mother, Virginia Phillips.
Andrea Phillips stepped to a microphone-studded lectern and spoke first, thanking neighbors and well-wishers nationwide for their prayers and support.
The captain came next. He downplayed his role in the highly publicized hijacking of his ship, the Maersk Alabama, on April 8 by Somali pirates.
“I’m just a bit part in this story,” he said during a short appearance on the tarmac. “I’m a small part; I’m a seaman doing the best he can like all the other seamen out there.”
The freighter’s crew, he added, contributed to the success of the rescue operation simply by staying alive.
“We did it,” Phillips said. “We did what we were trained to do.”
The couple ended their short news conference with the words “God Bless America!”
Barely 30 minutes after Phillips’ landing, a Vermont State Police trooper escorted the family back home.
A Maersk spokesman who spoke on condition of anonymity said neighbors and family had prepared for the homecoming with a chicken-pot-pie dinner, cold beer and a batch of brownies. Company officials have not discussed when Phillips might return to work, nor when he might reunite with his crew, the spokesman said.
The homecoming dinner for Phillips must have been such a joyous gathering. After five long days of excruciating uncertainty, the ordeal is officially over with Phillips back at home.
He, his family, and friends are reunited. They'll no doubt give thanks for their blessings.
Phillips is an American hero.
He risked his life to save his crew.
And like most real heroes, he downplays the significance of what he did.
He recognizes that he owes his life to the Navy SEALs, their bravery and incredible skill.
Phillips said, "Once again, I'm not a hero. The military is. Thank them whenever you see them. The military did it. Thank you. God bless America."
You can tell he means it. That's a heartfelt statement. Phillips is a man to be admired.
He reminds us that America is a land of many quiet heroes.
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Reporter Mike Taibbi concludes:
You gotta like him. Today, President Obama let it be known that he plans to meet with Phillips and his crew and rescuers, but no date has been set for that meeting. Like everyone else, the president will have to wait for the Capt. to decide when the time is right.
I can understand Phillips wanting time to be with his family. When he was captive and his life was hanging in the balance, I'm sure he was praying he'd see his family again. I doubt he was thinking about meeting with Obama.
Obama can wait.
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