Serving The Nation On "The Big Stick"

Harry Smith Gives Early ShowViewers Look At Life On Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, At Sea

(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.

[briansmom731]

You need to show the shout outs as promised when you lost your satellite feed. I was so disappointed and think that this section of the series should have had more time allotted to it. GOD BLESS ALL THE SAILORS ON BOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT!

[laura120380]

Thanks for posting these segments! It''s good to know they are all safe and will have full tummies on Thanksgiving :)

[stkelly1469]

I am very proud to say that my son serves our country on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Even though I did not spot him (for sure), I was very happy to see the segment. I miss him very much! Is there any way I could purchase a video or such of the show? It would be greatly appreciated by me and the rest of his family. Thanks again for acknowledging the wonderful and brave men and women of the US Navy!

[upsetwife]

My Husband is on this Ship, and they so left out so many things, why not tell the how his Unit didn''t get their mail for several months because of Admin''s mess up. And the part about food... God we all know that ain''t true. If people only knew the truth, even the bad. And saying its their turn to be gone for the holidays, well this is the second holiday in a row that mines not been home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. And the sailor being happy HA, who would be happy if they found out that this cruse is being extened because the Capt. wanted to take a different route then normal instead of a normal 6-7 months, this one is 8-9months. And email doesn''t always work. Hate how new try''s to make everything just look so fine and dandy

[geonrobin]

Thanks so much for showing this segment on the early show...I spotted my husband on one of the video''s and it made me have chills....I miss him sooo much...It made me feel sooo much closer to him now that I saw him...Thanks again...

[mrjnee70]

My husband is also on this ship and pilots a Hornet proudly. While the first comment is somewhat true (eg, the food sucks, the email is faulty, and mail takes forever) and I sympathize with her husband being gone so often over the holidays - I understand and more importantly - MY HUSBAND understands that this is a volunteer job. No one forced him to join the greatest fighting force on the seas and he serves proudly despite the shortcomings. I am thankful for the sacrifices my husband makes for my freedom, the freedom of our children and for people we don''t even know.

[mrjnee70]

My husband is also on this ship and pilots a Hornet proudly. While the first comment is somewhat true (eg, the food sucks, the email is faulty, and mail takes forever) and I sympathize with her husband being gone so often over the holidays - I understand and more importantly - MY HUSBAND understands that this is a volunteer job. No one forced him to join the greatest fighting force on the seas and he serves proudly despite the shortcomings. I am thankful for the sacrifices my husband makes for my freedom, the freedom of our children and for people we don''t even know.

[mrjnee70]

My husband is also on this ship and pilots a Hornet proudly. While the first comment is somewhat true (eg, the food sucks, the email is faulty, and mail takes forever) and I sympathize with her husband being gone so often over the holidays - I understand and more importantly - MY HUSBAND understands that this is a volunteer job. No one forced him to join the greatest fighting force on the seas and he serves proudly despite the shortcomings. I am thankful for the sacrifices my husband makes for my freedom, the freedom of our children and for people we don''t even know.

[navywife326]

Thank you for showing the segement. My husband is on the ship. He works below the flight deck. Although I wished you would have showed all the other jobs on the ship, it was very enjoyable to see that they are all ok. WE LOVE YOU JASON!! Thank you!

[cdrjordan]

This morning as CBS eased into the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt segment, I saw Harry Smith and some of the Big Stick''s crew.

What I heard was distressing. What genius decided to lead in with the U.S. Air Force song (off we go into the wild blue yonder..)?

Anchors Aweigh, perhaps the Navy Hymn, but Lord God; not an Air Force song!!!

Pray that the crew doesn''t get wind of that mistake or Harry may do his segment from the brig! ;)

[cdrjordan]

This morning as CBS eased into the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt segment, I saw Harry Smith and some of the Big Stick''s crew.

What I heard was distressing. What genius decided to lead in with the U.S. Air Force song (off we go into the wild blue yonder..)?

Anchors Aweigh, perhaps the Navy Hymn, but Lord God; not an Air Force song!!!

Pray that the crew doesn''t get wind of that mistake or Harry may do his segment from the brig! ;)

[lpreston2]

I wanted to thank you for sharing with all of us back on American soil a little piece of what these fine young men and women are doing for our country. My daughter is one of the 500 women portrayed on your story today. Lisa is an Air Traffic Controller on the ship. I know how hard it is for her everyday. During this deployment she has missed her daughters first steps and will miss her first Christmas, first birthday and her sons third birthday. But she serves proudly and knows how important her role is. I am so proud of the mother, wife and Sailor she has become. Her husband also serves and has finished his sea duty and is home with the kids while Lisa is away. Seeing the story on the news this morning made me feel closer to my daughter. Thanks so much.
Signed,
Lisa%u2019s Mom in Missouri

[teampowers2]

Thank you for doing that segment my fiance is on board and it made my day to just have the reminder there! He is a purple shirt they fuel the planes and it brought tears to my eyes just seeing one run across the screen thank you!

[pitcher81]

This morning was such a great morning I got to see my fiance on TV while the ladies were getting interviewed. I miss him soooo much and am really glad I got to see him!!

[tona1223]

My son Gregory is on the ship and I miss him so much. Happy Thanksgiving son and tell all your sailor friends I said hello.

[tona1223]

My son Gregory is on the ship. Happy Thankgiving son and tell all your sailor friends I said hello.

[gin732]

I loved your segment. My daughter is on the TR, this is her first time out. Seeing your report made me feel just a little closer to her. I fought for a possible glimps of her but no luck but still loved the video and have watched it several time. Coming from a military back ground I am proud of all our armed forces and proud that my daughter is one. She is on the flight deck...training to be a shooter.
Thanks
Sam''s mom in Missouri

[navywife71]

MY HUSBAND IS ON THE TR ALSO, I LOVED THE SHOW EXCEPT WHEN THE LIVE FEED WENT OUT WHEN THE SAILORS WERE GOING TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO FAMILY MEMBERS AT HOME!! BUMMER!! I AM SO PROUD OF MY HUSBAND!!! WE BOTH SACRIFICE THIS TIME APART AND OUR LIVES FOR THE COUNTRY WE LOVE SO MUCH!! HARRY DID A GREAT JOB! I AM SO GLAD HE REALIZED WHAT OUR MEN AND WOMEN OF THE US MILITARY GO THRU BY CHOICE. GOD BLESS AND KEEP THEM AND BRING THEM HOME TO US SAFE AND SOON!!!

[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!

[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

[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

[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!

[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.

[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

[gjohnnye]

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

[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

[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.