Fire Controlman Second Class Caleb Smith kisses his wife, Eden Smith, as part of the ceremonial first kiss after disembarking from the USS Cole at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, following an over seven-month deployment. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A crowd welcomes home the USS Cole as it pulls into pier five at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, as it returns home from an over seven-month deployment. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A crowd welcomes home the USS Cole as it pulls into pier five at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, as it returns home from an over seven-month deployment. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Garion Pequeno reunites with his family after departing the USS Cole on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 at Naval station Norfolk, Va., after a deployment. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Peña/U.S. Navy via AP)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, The USS Cole (DDG 67) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., after a deployment on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan T. Beard/U.S. Navy via AP)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, families wait for sailors to depart the USS Cole, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 after returning to Naval station Norfolk, V.a., after a deployment. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Peña/U.S. Navy via AP)
Electrician's Mate Chief Petty Officer Katelyn Siewert holds her 2-month old daughter Daniella for the first time ever after returning home from a deployment aboard the USS Cole at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. Daniella was carried by Katelyn's wife Melissa via IVF and she was born while Katelyn was deployed. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
The USS Cole as it pulls into pier five at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, as it returns home from an over seven-month deployment. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Dorothy Taylor and Natisha Lucas spot their sailor, Operations Specialist Corddric Walton, as they wait for him to disembark from the USS Cole at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, following an over seven-month deployment. Dorothy and Natisha came up from Houston to welcome their sailor home from his first deployment for the holidays. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)