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Homecoming Lei Instructions
DISCLAIMER: All information contained in the instructions below is given as a courtesy to others. The supply list was estimated for all ships based on the lei created for an LHD. We believe the information to be reliable, be we cannot guarantee the accuracy.
Homecoming Lei Supplies List
Team of motivated volunteers, a minimum of 3 preferably.
Note: The homecoming lei featured in the video was made for an LHD.
The lei assembly was completed in approximately three (3) hours with breaks. It took approximately one (1) additional hour to “fluff” the lei. The lei for the ship was assembled using six (6) volunteers. We divided into teams of three that worked together in different sections of the homecoming lei.
VOLUNTEER 1 folded the bags
VOLUNTEER 2 wrapped the folded bag around the rope
VOLUNTEER 3 fastened the cable tie around the bag
Large working space (park, garage, backyard, etc.)
If you have access to a large indoor area, it is the ideal work space. If you must create it outdoors, look for an area where you can keep the lei out of the grass and dirt.
Tables and chairs
Folding banquet tables six (6) foot in length are good to use for easy measuring. Also, having a small side table for VOLUNTEER 1 to work at is helpful.
Twisted Nylon and Polyester Rope ¾” diameter (working load limit - 1,420 lb) - can be purchased through any company that sells boat supplies.
Cable Ties (“Zip ties”) 8 inch in length. - can be purchased at a hardware store.
*Optional - 2 Large Canvas (not plastic) tarps - can be purchased at a hardware store.
The two pieces can be sewn together to make a large bag to store the lei in after homecoming. Use velcro or a drawstring on one end to seal it closed.
Once your supplies are gathered you can begin the process of building the lei.
Preparation
1. Gather motivated teams and necessary supplies in a large workspace.
2. Completely unravel rope so that you can access both ends. At the very beginning of the rope. measure out a 20 foot section of rope and tie KNOT #1. Starting at the other end of the rope, measure out another 20 foot section of rope and tie KNOT #2. This will be used to secure the lei to the ship and will also signify the beginning and end of the ship lei.
3. Starting at KNOT #1, begin measuring out six (6) foot sections of rope. Use colored ribbon or a sharpie marker to designate which color of bag will be attached to each six (6) foot section. Continue until you reach KNOT #2.
We used red, white, and blue gift curling ribbon to show which color of bag would be attached to each section.
4. Divide into teams of three. Determine which volunteer will complete each task.
VOLUNTEER 1 folds the bags
VOLUNTEER 2 wraps the folded bag around the rope
VOLUNTEER 3 fastens the cable tie around the bag
Begin Building the Homecoming Lei
5. VOLUNTEER 1 begins with the sealed end of the bag closest to them. Fold the bag pleat style (also known as a fan fold) by folding over a 1" - 1 ½" end of the bag. Then turn the bag over and fold another section of similar size. Flip bag over and repeat, accordion style, through the remainder of the bag.
6. VOLUNTEER 2 takes the accordion style folded bag and places it under the rope. The two ends of the bag are brought together and held above the rope, ensure
the ends are equal.
7. VOLUNTEER 3 wraps a cable tie around the base of the folded bag, above the rope. Place the male end of the cable tie into the female end. Pull the cable tie tight. Twist the cable tie so the excess is running parallel with the rope. This excess will be tucked into the next “bundle”.
8. Repeat steps five (5) through eight (8), ensuring that the excess cable tie is tucked into the next bundle.
9. VOLUNTEER 3 must push the bags together tightly as you move down the rope. Continue adding bags until the six foot section of the first color is complete.
10. Repeat steps five (5) through eight (8) for the remaining six foot sections of color for the remaining length of rope.
11. Once the entire length of rope is covered with the six (6) foot sections of the three colors, you are ready to begin “fluffing”!
Fluffing the Lei
12. Each bag on the rope will need to be “fluffed.” To “fluff”, find the open end of the bag and use one of the following procedures to create the volume of the lei: It is a matter of preference for each person.
Option 1: Push hand through the open end until you reach the seamed end. Slowly pull hand back out and fluff as needed.
Option 2: Place each thumb inside the opened end of the bag. Use fingers on outside of the bag to “pull through” to the seamed end (think of getting pantyhose prepped to put on).
13. As you are moving your way down the length of the rope, try to tighten the gap between bags by pushing them firmly against each other.
14. Add bags and fluff as needed to fill any extra gaps in the ship lei.
15. Once fluffing is completed, start “snaking” or coiling the lei into the large canvas bag for easy transportation and storage.
16. Depending on the schedule of your ship, the lei will be delivered to the ship in a variety of ways. If there is an offload scheduled for the day prior to homecoming, the command may coordinate for it to be delivered to the location of the offload for transfer to the ship. If there is not an offload scheduled it will sometimes be flown by helicopter or taken by tug boat to the ship it arrives at the pier.
Note: Making the large canvas bag for the lei will prevent a scene like pictured in the photo above.
17. When it arrives on the ship, it has to be stretched and re-fluffed before it is hung on the bow of the ship.
Preparing the lei on the ship
18. Don't forget to take pictures of your masterpiece hanging on the ship!
Additional Information
Before purchasing your supplies, contact your ship POC and ask for the exact distance measurements of the hull that the lei hangs from. You want the homecoming lei to drape down from the hull. As a rule of thumb, you can estimate approximately 120 bags for every six (6) foot section. You will need a cable tie for each bag. You may want to consider purchasing bags in conjunction with other deployed ships if you do not need the full package of 500 bags or consider making multiple drapes.
For an Aircraft Carrier:
350 foot Twisted Nylon and Polyester Rope ¾” diameter (working load limit - 1,420 lb)
4,750 High Density PE Merchandise Bags (Three colors: Red, White, and Blue come in boxes of 500 each - size 16x4x24, gauge 0.00105)
4,750 Cable Ties (“Zip ties”) 8 inch in length.
For a LHA, LHD or LPD:
150 foot Twisted Nylon and Polyester Rope ¾” diameter (working load limit - 1,420 lb)
1,750 High Density PE Merchandise Bags (Three colors: Red, White, and Blue come in boxes of 500 each - size 16x4x24, gauge 0.00105)
1,750 Cable Ties (“Zip ties”) 8 inch in length.
For a LSD:
100 foot Twisted Nylon and Polyester Rope ¾” diameter (working load limit - 1,420 lb)
1,500 High Density PE Merchandise Bags (Three colors: Red, White, and Blue are sold in boxes of 500 each - size 16x4x24, gauge 0.00105)
1,500 Cable Ties (“Zip ties”) 8 inch in length.
For a DDG, FFG or CG:
75 foot Twisted Nylon and Polyester Rope ¾” diameter (working load limit - 1,420 lb)
750 High Density PE Merchandise Bags (Three colors: Red, White, and Blue are sold in boxes of 500 each - size 16x4x24, gauge 0.00105)
750 Cable Ties (“Zip ties”) 8 inch in length.
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