23 December,2011 08:50 AM IST | | Agencies
Two women sailors became the first to share the coveted first kiss on the pier after one of them returned from 80 days at sea, in a navy tradition caught up with the repeal of the US military's 'don't ask, don't tell' rule.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta of Placerville, California, descended from the USS Oak Hill ship and shared a quick kiss with her partner, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell of Los Angeles.
Pucker up: Petty Officer Marissa Gaeta kisses her girlfriend Petty Officer
Citlalic Snell. pic/afp
Gaeta (23) wore her dress uniform while Snell (22) wore a black leather jacket, scarf and blue jeans. The crowd screamed and waved flags around them.
"It's something new, that's for sure," Gaeta told reporters after the kiss.
"It's nice to be able to be myself. It's been a long time coming."
Navy officials said it was the first time on record that a same-sex couple was chosen to kiss first upon a ship's return.
