GROTON, CT (NBC) — After months at sea, sailors aboard the USS New Hampshire are back home in the arms of their loved ones Wednesday.
Families and loved ones greeted the sailors upon their return with hugs and even a sign announcing the Cubs’ World Series win.
One sailor proposed to his girlfriend, who accepted the proposal.
Sarah Eastwood didn’t expect her boyfriend of five years, Petty Officer 2nd Class Benjamin Gaston, to get down on one knee and propose when he walked off the ship.
“I’m just excited to start our new lives,” the Eastwood said.
The Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine travels about 46,000 standard miles. That’s equal to about 1.84 trips around the world at the equator.