I'll see you in six months ...

Outside of the death or serious injury of a service member, saying goodbye to family has to be one of the saddest moments for the family and sailor. I remember working in a daze for days, feeling alone and looking forward to the first mail call. On the bright side, I was one day closer to homecoming.

PEARL HARBOR (Jan. 20, 2008) -- Culinary Specialist Seaman Jeff Norman, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG-70), embraces his wife before deploying on a surge to the western Pacific Ocean. Hopper will conduct operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet, helping protect the territory, citizens, commerce and other vital interests of the United States.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Wallace Ciccarelli.