RICHMOND, Va. — Nearly 20 years after being wrongly convicted for rape and murder, the "Norfolk 4" are celebrating their newly issued pardons, and more importantly — their newly approved leave requests, sources confirmed today.

In a widely-praised decision from Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the four sailors are now free men — except in the eyes of their command— which has already vowed to continue to treat them like children once they return from leave.

"Coming straight from the prison system made me these sailors' impromptu commander," McAuliffe told reporters. "So I chose to act like it. Thinking about the men's hardships and needs, I grabbed their paperwork, and immediately signed off on it."

He added: "No hesitation, no going over the exact specifics of their liberty plan, no switching up the approved leave dates last minute, and no pointless delays. Just like a real military leader ... right?"