4/3/10, 8:00 a.m., ABOARD USS BATAAN -- We steam toward Norfolk in a fog so thick, you can't see the tip of the ship's bow. The fog horn sounds every 10 minutes or so. But Bataan still steams toward Norfolk on schedule for a 10 a.m. homecoming, according to the skipper. The ship is rather quiet. That's what happens when 1,000 Marines leave and operations wind down. For about 80 days, the ship was a hub of "frenetic activity," according to Capt. Tom Negus. He led the navy's relief mission for the amphibious group and talked to us about being so busy he had to have his meals brought to him in his office aboard the ship. Even then, they would stack up on a shelf to where by nightfall, he would just be getting around to breakfast. Long days make for short weeks and short months, he told us. I'm not sure all the sailors would agree but I know this -- they are glad to be home.
