Shipmates...
I just wanted to wish all of you and your families a safe "Memorial Day"...
Yesterday, Mary Ann and I (along with our oldest Daughter Denise) took our Grandson "John Walter" aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11), the USS Growler (SSG-577) and the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). It is "Fleet" week here in New York, and it was great to see so many Sailors and Marines in our great City. I cannot begin to tell you how many hands we shook of these great men and woman who are serving presently on active duty...I can assure you that there were many, many "VETS" aboard these ships (boat) as well. There was a great deal of PRIDE felt yesterday.
We even met the CO of the USS Growler (1963 - 1964)...Capt. Bob Owens. He was below decks on the boat and was happy to answer any questions anyone had. I mentioned to him about "our" Capt. Joe Enright, and he told me that he knew him personally and was well aware of Capt. Enright sinking the Aircraft Carrier "Shinano" during WWII.
At a recent "Tea" party I met a Navy Vet (Frank) who was a "Mustang" and served 34 years in the Navy...Mostly Carrier duty...Ironically he was recruited by Mary Ann's Father who served in the Navy...That's a another story for another day. We met again last week to welcome one of our wounded "warriors" home. It was estimated that over 20,000 people lined the road from MacArthur airport to his home in Holbrook...This Sunday, I will be marching in the Memorial Day parade in College Point, Queens with our Grandson, and on Monday (Memorial) I will again meet with the Navy Vet at the "Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park" in Farmingville where names of fallen veterans will be read off.
Well, as I stated at the beginning, please stay safe and enjoy this most precious Holiday...
Fair Winds and Following Seas...
Walt
I just wanted to wish all of you and your families a safe "Memorial Day"...
Yesterday, Mary Ann and I (along with our oldest Daughter Denise) took our Grandson "John Walter" aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11), the USS Growler (SSG-577) and the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). It is "Fleet" week here in New York, and it was great to see so many Sailors and Marines in our great City. I cannot begin to tell you how many hands we shook of these great men and woman who are serving presently on active duty...I can assure you that there were many, many "VETS" aboard these ships (boat) as well. There was a great deal of PRIDE felt yesterday.
We even met the CO of the USS Growler (1963 - 1964)...Capt. Bob Owens. He was below decks on the boat and was happy to answer any questions anyone had. I mentioned to him about "our" Capt. Joe Enright, and he told me that he knew him personally and was well aware of Capt. Enright sinking the Aircraft Carrier "Shinano" during WWII.
At a recent "Tea" party I met a Navy Vet (Frank) who was a "Mustang" and served 34 years in the Navy...Mostly Carrier duty...Ironically he was recruited by Mary Ann's Father who served in the Navy...That's a another story for another day. We met again last week to welcome one of our wounded "warriors" home. It was estimated that over 20,000 people lined the road from MacArthur airport to his home in Holbrook...This Sunday, I will be marching in the Memorial Day parade in College Point, Queens with our Grandson, and on Monday (Memorial) I will again meet with the Navy Vet at the "Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park" in Farmingville where names of fallen veterans will be read off.
Well, as I stated at the beginning, please stay safe and enjoy this most precious Holiday...
Fair Winds and Following Seas...
Walt

