It was really good! We knew the public relations woman on the ship and the capt. from when they came to our club to speak, and they are both so terrific! All the guys on board were extremely courteous and made us feel so welcome. It's a huge carrier (I guess they all are) and is undergoing 300 million dollars worth of renovations. It was built to last 25-30 years and just celebrated its 35th year. This work and some in 2005 in Norfolk, which will require a drydock should help it be in service until its 50th year. Sounds like a lot of money until you realize it would take years and 5-6 Billion dollars to replace it.
Seeing what the pilots and all the support staff have to do to make it all come together for the planes to takeoff and land is incredible. It is so precise. I can't imagine what it must feel like for a young pilot to attempt a landing on a moving carrier for the first time!! What was really cool for me is all the guys were familiar with the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, which is the dinky little town I lived in in MD!! It is an important link for them, and they message with them and send guys to train there! My grandfather worked there, my BIL does, and many of my friends parents did.
We had all been joking about what kind of lunch we were going to get for $3.25 (chipped beef on toast?). Well, the joke was on us. There were big steaks (as large as the ones we had for dinner last night), Alaskan king crab legs, peeled shrimp, veggies, salad, fruit, desserts, and drinks!! The captain spoke to us afterward and said it was because it was govt. subsidized. The guys work 12 hour days minimum, so they deserve to eat well. This wasn't a special lunch for us. It was their typical Wed. lunch, although for some reason Wed. is better than other days. Glad our visit was delayed one day.
It was a very unique experience. I have so much admiration for all the military since 9/11 and Operation Enduring Freedom. We used Capt. Henderson's spech that he made to his men on the eve of them heading to the war in our Sept. newsletter, so I'm going to send him a copy. It is still very moving every time I read it. His speech follows for anyone who'd like to read it:
"Good evening on board John F Kennedy, Carrier Air Wing Seven, and Carrier Group Six.
We are currently proceeding, at best speed, to our launch point for tonight’s strikes, off the coast of Pakistan, nearly 700 miles south of our targets in Afghanistan.
At midnight, CVW-7 will launch into the dark night and strike their first blows of Operation Enduring Freedom, the war on terrorism. For us this is a culminating point in space, a culminating point in time and a culminating point in history.
Our enemy is a group of religious fanatics, who pervert the peace of Islam and twist its meaning to justify the murder of thousands of innocents at the Twin Towers of New York, at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania. They hate us and attack us because they oppose all that is good about America. They hate us because we are prosperous. They hate us because we are tolerant. They hate us because we are happy. Mostly, they hate us because we are free and because we will “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.” Make no mistake – this is a fight for Western Civilization. If these monsters are not destroyed they will destroy us, and our children and children’s children will live in fear forever.
America is the only nation that can stop them and destroy them. Only America has the strength of character and the vast resources to hunt these fanatics down anywhere in the world. We have friends and allies but we are the leaders of the world our forefathers made and died for. Our Naval power has been the principal weapon of our resolve. Great ships and great crews have gone before us – Enterprise, Carl Vinson, Kitty Hawk, Teddy Roosevelt, John Stennis. Tonight, our enemies will feel the power of USS John F. Kennedy. It is now our turn to strike for justice and we will strike hard.
Millions of Americans wish they could be here with us tonight. They saw the Twin Towers fall, and watched helplessly, wanting to do something to defend America and our way of life. For us tonight, that wait and that helplessness are over. We have reached the point where we are all part of something so much greater than ourselves.
For the rest of our lives, no matter whether we stay in the Navy or move on to civilian life, no matter what we do or where we go, we will remember that on 10 March 2002, we came together and struck a blow for freedom.
All of us are volunteers. Most of us joined the Navy to serve our country and better ourselves. Tonight, and in the nights to come, we are given the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to truly make a difference in the world. Our namesake John F. Kennedy wrote that “a single person can make a difference, and every person should try.” Tonight, WE make a difference! We represent America in all its power and diversity. We are men and women, rich and poor, black and white, and all colors of the human rainbow. We are Christian, Jew, and yes, Muslim. WE ARE AMERICA.
This war will not be short, pleasant or easy. It has already required the sacrifice of our firefighters, our policemen, our soldiers, our Sailors, our airmen, and our Marines. More sacrifices will be made. In the end we will win, precisely because we are those things that the terrorists hate – prosperous, happy, tolerant, and most of all, free.
Those Americans who wish they could be here with us are, in fact, here with us in spirit. Never before in American history has our nation been so completely unified and resolute in purpose. Every one of them is cheering us on, praying for our safety and our success. Our families are behind us 100 percent. We will not let them down. We are, and will be, men and women of honor, courage and commitment.
I believe, as Abraham Lincoln said, that, “America is the last, best hope for the world.” Tonight we hold a shining beacon of that hope. We shall keep it burning brightly.
Stay sharp. Stay focused. Stay safe. Use the training that has made you the best Sailors in the world, the best Sailors in the history of the world. Trust in your faith, and in your shipmates. God bless us all, and God bless America."
I still get the lump and goosebumps too. I sent the captain the newsletter last night and asked if it's possible to buy copies of the videos he showed. I'll be eager to get his reply.
Today, we had a Marine who's just back from Iraq speak at the end of our meeting. He's in his late 20's and flies a fighter plane. He spoke briefly, but with emotion. I wish I had recorded his talk. He said they often got publicity and support for what they did, but the people he wanted to thank were the wrench turners and other support people who often worked 18 hours a day to keep them flying; the people who went there a month ahead of them and built a camp and other facilities; and the behind the scenes people who got very little credit but deserved a lot. Many of us were fighting back tears listening to him. He talked about how many had different political views, religious backgrounds, ethnicities, etc., but they all went there just as Americans. Wouldn't it be great if we could all view it that way? He is the nephew of one of our members and what a credit to our country!!
We have a new member in our church who is a MA-RINE and he was sent into Iraq early to help set things up, do recon, get support from the Iraqis, etc. When the fighting started, he slept in the open, in a sleeping bag, on the sand, for 3 months. No running water. No bathing water. No latrines. He wasn't even allowed to take along with him a tiny copy of his New Testament and said he was thankful he had memorized lots of scripture over the years, because it got him thru. After the fighting was over and they were back to tents and cots and things he was talking to his commander about the mental survival of it all. Our church member relied on his faith in God, reciting the scriptures, etc. His commander said when he left the States, he kissed his wife and children goodbye with all intentions of not coming back alive. That is how he was able to focus.
Funny thinking about the two different tactics to survive.
Seeing what the pilots and all the support staff have to do to make it all come together for the planes to takeoff and land is incredible. It is so precise. I can't imagine what it must feel like for a young pilot to attempt a landing on a moving carrier for the first time!! What was really cool for me is all the guys were familiar with the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head, which is the dinky little town I lived in in MD!! It is an important link for them, and they message with them and send guys to train there! My grandfather worked there, my BIL does, and many of my friends parents did.
We had all been joking about what kind of lunch we were going to get for $3.25 (chipped beef on toast?). Well, the joke was on us. There were big steaks (as large as the ones we had for dinner last night), Alaskan king crab legs, peeled shrimp, veggies, salad, fruit, desserts, and drinks!! The captain spoke to us afterward and said it was because it was govt. subsidized. The guys work 12 hour days minimum, so they deserve to eat well. This wasn't a special lunch for us. It was their typical Wed. lunch, although for some reason Wed. is better than other days. Glad our visit was delayed one day.
It was a very unique experience. I have so much admiration for all the military since 9/11 and Operation Enduring Freedom. We used Capt. Henderson's spech that he made to his men on the eve of them heading to the war in our Sept. newsletter, so I'm going to send him a copy. It is still very moving every time I read it. His speech follows for anyone who'd like to read it:
"Good evening on board John F Kennedy, Carrier Air Wing Seven, and Carrier Group Six.
We are currently proceeding, at best speed, to our launch point for tonight’s strikes, off the coast of Pakistan, nearly 700 miles south of our targets in Afghanistan.
At midnight, CVW-7 will launch into the dark night and strike their first blows of Operation Enduring Freedom, the war on terrorism. For us this is a culminating point in space, a culminating point in time and a culminating point in history.
Our enemy is a group of religious fanatics, who pervert the peace of Islam and twist its meaning to justify the murder of thousands of innocents at the Twin Towers of New York, at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania. They hate us and attack us because they oppose all that is good about America. They hate us because we are prosperous. They hate us because we are tolerant. They hate us because we are happy. Mostly, they hate us because we are free and because we will “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.” Make no mistake – this is a fight for Western Civilization. If these monsters are not destroyed they will destroy us, and our children and children’s children will live in fear forever.
America is the only nation that can stop them and destroy them. Only America has the strength of character and the vast resources to hunt these fanatics down anywhere in the world. We have friends and allies but we are the leaders of the world our forefathers made and died for. Our Naval power has been the principal weapon of our resolve. Great ships and great crews have gone before us – Enterprise, Carl Vinson, Kitty Hawk, Teddy Roosevelt, John Stennis. Tonight, our enemies will feel the power of USS John F. Kennedy. It is now our turn to strike for justice and we will strike hard.
Millions of Americans wish they could be here with us tonight. They saw the Twin Towers fall, and watched helplessly, wanting to do something to defend America and our way of life. For us tonight, that wait and that helplessness are over. We have reached the point where we are all part of something so much greater than ourselves.
For the rest of our lives, no matter whether we stay in the Navy or move on to civilian life, no matter what we do or where we go, we will remember that on 10 March 2002, we came together and struck a blow for freedom.
All of us are volunteers. Most of us joined the Navy to serve our country and better ourselves. Tonight, and in the nights to come, we are given the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to truly make a difference in the world. Our namesake John F. Kennedy wrote that “a single person can make a difference, and every person should try.” Tonight, WE make a difference! We represent America in all its power and diversity. We are men and women, rich and poor, black and white, and all colors of the human rainbow. We are Christian, Jew, and yes, Muslim. WE ARE AMERICA.
This war will not be short, pleasant or easy. It has already required the sacrifice of our firefighters, our policemen, our soldiers, our Sailors, our airmen, and our Marines. More sacrifices will be made. In the end we will win, precisely because we are those things that the terrorists hate – prosperous, happy, tolerant, and most of all, free.
Those Americans who wish they could be here with us are, in fact, here with us in spirit. Never before in American history has our nation been so completely unified and resolute in purpose. Every one of them is cheering us on, praying for our safety and our success. Our families are behind us 100 percent. We will not let them down. We are, and will be, men and women of honor, courage and commitment.
I believe, as Abraham Lincoln said, that, “America is the last, best hope for the world.” Tonight we hold a shining beacon of that hope. We shall keep it burning brightly.
Stay sharp. Stay focused. Stay safe. Use the training that has made you the best Sailors in the world, the best Sailors in the history of the world. Trust in your faith, and in your shipmates. God bless us all, and God bless America."
Rhonda
~~Rhonda~~
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Sounds wonderful.
Live With Passion!
Phyllis
Rhonda
~~Rhonda~~
<
Rhonda
~~Rhonda~~
<
Funny thinking about the two different tactics to survive.
S