Serving The Nation On "The Big Stick"

(CBS)  "It's a deadly serious business. There is no room for error. ... Everyone here has to bring their 'A-game,' every day."

Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith marveled at the precision, skill, courage and dedication of the crew of the sprawling aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, where fighter jets take off and land, one after another, at all hours, to and from missions over Afghanistan, to support ground troops there.

Smith went, and took viewers to, the floating city in the concluding part of The Early Show series, "Destination Unknown."

The ship's namesake, Theodore Roosevelt, used to say, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick." The crew calls the carrier "The Big Stick."

It's on active duty in the north Arabian sea, some 7,000 miles from New York, where Smith's journey began:



Some 4,400 sailors, 500 of them women, are on board.

Smith watched in awe as jets came and went:





He gave viewers an idea of what everyday life is like on the carrier:



And chatted with female sailors:

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Smith's trip was arranged with the help of luxury travel network Virtuoso.

The Early Show would also like to thank Qatar Airways and The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.
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[prowlermom]

To all those aboard the TR: It was great to watch the segment. What you do is so amazing! I have a special place in my heart for the TR, not just because I have a son aboard. It is a great ship. I know the crew feels that and have a special pride in serving on TR.
Your service is tremendously appreciated.
Happy Thanksgiving and stay safe.

[rambamray]

thank you for the story on the teddy roosevelt my son michael has been on the crew for a couple of years.it was so great to see the ship it was even better to see my son!happy holidays to all our children out there come home safe!navy mom of 2,from selkirk n.y

[gjohnnye]

my son kyle is aboard war party squad vfa87.happy thanksgivings to all.

[injaws]

Thank you so much for showing our fine sailors onboard The Big Stick. My son is serving his second deployment and we are all so proud of him.

We too would have loved to heard the shout outs but hey their in a middle of the ocean and "stuff" happens.

Thank you to all of our men and women who choose to protect the rest of us at home. You guys are awesome and the VFA 87 Golden Warriors Rock!

Have a safe trip and we miss all of you. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. WAR PARTY ROCKS.

Love,
Navy Mom in Indiana

[softhenorth]

Thank you for doing this story. My son, Sheldon, has been serving on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt for quite a few years now. He loves his job. I am so proud of him and all the sailors on this ship. I wish all of them a Happy Thanksgiving, and Thank you for serving our country. I miss my son sooo much. I can''t wait to see him again.

[edumk8r]

My husband is an AO (red shirts) with VFA87 onboard the TR. My son was excited to watch the jets take off and to see what his Harvey is doing while ''on the boat'' and gone for 7 months. Even though we didn''t see him (he works nights), we did see his squadron whch made me smile. We miss him, but we know he''s doing an important job. Happy Thanksgiving guys!IYAOYAS!

[tdob2]

Early Show - Thank you! My youngest, Andrew is deployed with this carrier and watching this segment on the air brought me a little closer to him. Even though I did not see him, I found it comforting to watch Harry report from the "Big Stick".
Andrew is part of the TR Navigation Division, and when that part viewed I looked for him, but he was not there, oh well, maybe next time.
Andrew''s family would like to wish him and all the sailors Happy Thanksgiving, and a Very Merry Christmas.

Andrew will also be celebrating his 22nd Birthday aboard the carrier. Happy Birthday, ANDREW!!!!

Andrew''s Mom in GlenBurnie, MD

[navywife87-2009]

THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THIS SEGMANT MY HUSBAND IS ABOARD IN THE WAR PARTY SQUAD. WE RECENTLY HAD A BABY BOY THAT HE HAD TO LEAVE 3 DAYS AFTER HE WAS BORN. HE WILL BE COMMING HOME EARLY DECEMBER TO BE WITH US. BUT JUST SEEING THAT ALL OF THE MEN AND WOMEN ABOARD THE BIG STICK ARE SAFE AND DOING WELL MAKES MY DAYS EASIER. WE LOVE YOU ALL AND APPRECIATE THE SACRIFICES AND HARD WORK YOU DO EVERYDAY JUST TO KEEP US SAFE. COME HOME SOON AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL. WE LOVE YOU AT3- FULKERSON. WAR PARTY ROCKS HOOYAH.

LOVE
LAURIE,AIDAN

[heatherdehn]

Thank You for your broadcast. I am very proud of my brother Heath who is serving on the Roosevelt. I hope that everyone learns the sacrifice that he is making for the safety and freedom of us all. I love you Beef!

[heatherdehn]

Thank You for your broadcast. I am very proud of my brother Heath who is serving on the Roosevelt. I hope that everyone learns the sacrifice that he is making for the safety and freedom of us all. I love you Beef!