On the scene with Gary Tuchman in Norfolk, Virginia

Gary Tuchman

CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman is in Norfolk, Virginia, where more than 200 sailors from the USS Cole were reunited with their loved ones Friday. Seventeen sailors were killed in an apparent terrorist attack on the Cole three weeks ago.

Q: What was the scene like there today?

TUCHMAN: It was a scene of joyous celebration and emotion. These family members just so badly wanted to see their loved ones after all this time. When the sailors started walking down the stairs of the plane, their emotions in many cases just erupted.

The hardest thing for these particular families was the first 24 hours after the bomb blast, not knowing if their loved ones were alive. But they still felt they wouldn't be over this terrible nightmare until they saw their loved ones' faces, and today is the day that happened.

Q: How great was the sense of patriotism, love of one's country and family?

TUCHMAN: The feeling here was of immense patriotism. The family members here are very proud of their sailors who served on the USS Cole, but they also made it clear their loved ones serve the United States of America.

Many people waved American flags and carried signs. The way the love of country mainly manifested itself was in interviews, when they told us how proud they were. The naval base had hung up a huge American flag on the side of the terminal building, and many of the family members proudly wore USS Cole t-shirts that had been handed out to them.

Q: Were there any particularly poignant moments?

TUCHMAN: What I thought was most memorable was watching family members standing near the plane and not even blinking as they watched for their sailors to come off the plane.

You'd stare at their faces for what seemed like minutes and then, as soon as they saw their loved ones, they would become deliriously happy and emotional.

Happy homecoming for Cole 'heroes'
November 03, 2000

The United States Navy
Norfolk Naval Station
U.S. Department of Defense
 • The Pentagon
Welcome to COMNAVSURFLANT

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.