Captain of ship seized by pirates to come home

[April 17, 2009]  UNDERHILL, Vt. (AP) -- Richard Phillips' crew missed out on a reunion with him. His hometown won't. Balloons, "Welcome Home" signs and spirits are up as the small Vermont town where the freed sea captain lives gears up to welcome the "biggest celebrity in Underhill." Phillips is scheduled to return Friday.

"He's our hero," said resident David Villeneuve, who put up signs in his yard to welcome Phillips. "He's the best thing to happen to the U.S. in a while."

Phillips, 53, who was rescued from Somali pirates in a daring Navy SEALs sniper operation on Easter Sunday, was unable to join the crew of the Maersk Alabama when it was greeted early Thursday by a cheering crowd at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

There were hugs, tears and a massive sense of relief when the crew arrived. One crewman, carrying a child toward the terminal, shouted, "I'm happy to see my family!" Another exclaimed, "God bless America."

Phillips, who was rescued by the U.S. Navy's USS Bainbridge, couldn't make that reunion because the destroyer diverted Tuesday to chase pirates attacking a second U.S. cargo ship. That ship escaped.

His first port of call was Mombasa, Kenya, where the USS Bainbridge docked to the strains of "Sweet Home Alabama" -- the Lynyrd Skynyrd hit. Next stop: Underhill, a small rural community at the foot of Mount Mansfield.

George Bacigalupo, general manager of Atlantic Aviation, which handles corporate and private aircraft flying into Burlington International Airport, said the plane carrying Phillips was expected about 4:30 p.m. Friday.

It wasn't immediately disclosed where the flight would originate or what kind of homecoming Phillips' family and friends had in store once he returns. There was no immediate plan for a parade or public celebration.

"We're respecting the family's wishes and waiting to see what they'd like to do," said Kari Papelbon, the town's zoning administrator.

But many were giddy with anticipation Thursday.

At Poker Hill Arts, an after-school art program for elementary school students, owner Chris Gluck and her charges put the finishing touches on a banner before fastening it to the wooden porch of the Underhill Country Store.

The 18-foot-long banner, made of tar paper, added "Captain Phillips" beneath one erected Monday that said "Welcome Home." Both left plenty of room inside the white block letters for people to write their greetings with pens tied to them.

"Welcome Home Capt. Phillips (Biggest Celebrity in Underhill)," read one scribbled note.

"Richard, glad you came out of this safe you are a good man with high standards. More Americans should be like you," said another.

"It's just really exciting that he's coming home," said Nate King, 10, pointing to an inscription by his family. "He's going to be very surprised when he sees it."

For many Underhill residents, the only dilemma was how to balance their excitement with the Phillips family's need for privacy.

"Even if the family says they don't want something, there will be people who feel a need to express their joy," said Town Constable Jennifer Silpe. "It isn't because anyone wants to interfere with their privacy or be disrespectful, it's just that they feel compelled to express their excitement that he's home."

Even Phillips' home -- a modest white farmhouse with black shutters and a long white picket fence -- was showing its colors.

Besides the yellow ribbons that neighbors and friends fastened to the fence while he was being held, three yellow-and-greeen helium balloons reading "Welcome Home" flapped in a stiff breeze Thursday at the house.

[Associated Press; By JOHN CURRAN]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.