U.S. Captain Returns Home to Hero's Welcome

April 17, 2009 — -- The U.S. captain of the Maersk Alabama, who was rescued from the hands of Somali pirates Easter Sunday, received a hero's welcome as he arrived home in Vermont Friday.

After a 7,500 mile flight from Kenya, Capt. Richard Phillips touched down on familiar ground and was greeted by hugs from his wife, Andrea, two children, Mariah and Daniel, and other relatives in a heartfelt reunion at the airport.

Just five days ago, 53-year-old Phillips was held hostage on a lifeboat, where three Somali pirates held rifles to his head.

Phillips paid tribute to the U.S. Navy snipers aboard the USS Bainbridge who shot down all three pirates simultaneously and saved him.

"The first people I want to thank are the SEALs. They're the superheros. They're the titans. They're impossible men doing an impossible job, and they did the impossible with me," Phillips said in a short statement.

"I'm not the hero, the military's the hero," he said. "Thank them whenever you see them...God bless America."

Phillips also applauded the work of his crew members, who fought off the pirates and defended their ship.

"We did it. We did what we were trained to do," he said.

Phillips then headed home to his small town of Underhill, Vt., population 3,000, where pride for the hometown hero is overflowing. Handmade "Welcome Home Captain Phillips" signs awaited his arrival.

"It's been quite a whirlwind for this little town over the last week," said the Rev. Rick Danielson, Phillips' pastor.

During the ordeal at sea, the town hung ribbons as symbols of support. After his rescue, huge banners were rolled out. Family and friends have prepared all the comforts of home for Phillips. One friend made chicken pot pie, according to the Associated Press, and his mother-in-law made brownies.

"He'll be the same Richard as he was when he left," said Tim Smith, a Phillips family friend. "And he'll have great stories."

The family, which covets its privacy, is eager to spend time together and to return to normal life.

"This is truly one of the happiest moments of our lives having Richard home," Phillips' wife, Andrea said at the Burlington airport. "I have always been proud to call myself American -- today I'm even prouder."