OT - My Memorial Day and a Giveaway - Updated with pictures and videos - Winners Announced
jessewvu
Posts: 5,065 ✭✭✭✭✭
Well, I am late on this post but for good reason. I was aboard the US Naval Aircraft Carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) for flight testing efforts which resulted in the carrier being able to land/launch fixed wing aircraft for the first time. Our aircraft and pilot were the first to land on the carrier and the first to be launched from the carrier. While underway, former president George H. W. Bush flew out and spent 24 hours aboard (memorial day), touring the spaces and watching flight operations. Just prior to his departure, he gave a short speech in the hangar bay after a brief ceremony for those who had advanced in rank and those that had reenlisted. After a short introduction thanking the Captain of the ship and his tour group, he said that he had a good life and that the ship meant everything to him and then stopped. After getting choked up for about a minute, he composed himself to thank those service members on the ship for their service and all the others that serve in the armed forces. Although it was a short speech, it was probably the most powerful I had ever heard. I think the total environment; aboard the ship, out at sea, during a war on Memorial Day, in the hangar bay, and with the solders completely surrounding me, you couldn't help but feel the emotion yourself. As he exited the hangar bay to get on his helicopter to fly off, he walked about 20' from us (the civilians packed in the back) and as I pulled out my camera to take a picture, he gave me a wave. The picture didn't turn out too good because we were not allowed to use flash but sill pretty cool.
When I got home from the ship last night, my wife showed me a package that we had received from the Chaplin/friend stationed at FOB Cropper, Iraq. Inside the package was a folded American Flag with a note and a certificate stating the flag had been flown over Forward Operating Base Cropper during Operation Iraqi Freedom, signed by the Command Sergeant Major and the Brigadier General, USA Commanding made out to The Ashby Family. I have little imagination for what I could have done to deserve this flag but boy did it stop me in my tracks. As soon as I took the flag out of the package and held it in my hands, I began to think of all the solders who gave this flag to me.
To all that are serving or have honorably served in the United States Armed Forces, thank you. It's hard to put into words the appreciation and pride we have in you.
So, as a extremely small giveaway, post someone you know or knew that has served in the US Armed Forces. I will pick two people at random and send them a ship coin from the USS George H. W. Bush.
When I got home from the ship last night, my wife showed me a package that we had received from the Chaplin/friend stationed at FOB Cropper, Iraq. Inside the package was a folded American Flag with a note and a certificate stating the flag had been flown over Forward Operating Base Cropper during Operation Iraqi Freedom, signed by the Command Sergeant Major and the Brigadier General, USA Commanding made out to The Ashby Family. I have little imagination for what I could have done to deserve this flag but boy did it stop me in my tracks. As soon as I took the flag out of the package and held it in my hands, I began to think of all the solders who gave this flag to me.
To all that are serving or have honorably served in the United States Armed Forces, thank you. It's hard to put into words the appreciation and pride we have in you.
So, as a extremely small giveaway, post someone you know or knew that has served in the US Armed Forces. I will pick two people at random and send them a ship coin from the USS George H. W. Bush.
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Comments
i can only imagine addressing the crew of an aircraft carrier named in your honor...i'm surprised he got a word out
my dad and i both were fleet sailors he a engineman and i a boatswainmate
he served on a destroyer escort and i on an amphibious assualt cargo ship
i think it was a " him being sr and i being jr " thing second to the heart of why i served
all i know is signing my name is ruff at times after his passing and to think my boy is the 3rd
A co-worker of my husband's (Carl Morgain) was KIA in Iraq 4 years ago, on 5/22/05. Saddest funeral I've ever attended in my lifetime.
If I should win this, please pass it on to someone who's served - God bless them all. You had a fantastic Memorial Day experience and that will fill your heart for a very long time.
Thanks to all that have fought and still are!!!!
jim
Collect raw morgans, walkers, mercs, SLQ, barber q. Looking at getting into earlier date coins pre 1900s.
My hat is off to all my fellow vets.
Herb
him. Both in the Pacific theater. His brother, my father, only had one working eye and none of the
services would take him. So, he moved to San Francisco to build ships for the war. Afterward he
moved back home to Nevada.
bob
GOD BLESS all who have served, are serving and those who will serve.;
My daughter who has always had "educational issues" was in an auto accident & BayFlighted (head trauma) a year ago this past February - her senior year - and just barely graduated "by the skin of her teeth" with a REGULAR diploma @ almost 19.... after a year of living at home, not feeling capable of being an "adult" in the real world & finally passing her driver's test last week - she made a truly life changing decision. She (who has always been naively 'anti-gov't' like only the young can be)... realized the true meaning behind the motto "Be All That You Can Be"... and she enlisted in the Army - she turns 20 on July 4th & ships out on Aug. 19th - I am VERY proud!! I know that this is a rare opportunity that she would never have elsewhere.
BTW - my paternal grandfather who is in his late 80's was also on the PT-109.... JFK's ride ~
F-18 taking off
F-18 landing
F-18 on the wires with a profile of the ship
Hangar Speech
Right after he waved at me while I was fumbling with my camera
Below are two videos, one is an aircraft on approach that is waved off due to a foul deck. The guy with his hand in the air is our pilot that got the first trap and catapult off of CVN-77. The second one is of George H. W. Bush making an announcement over the ships 1MC (main intercom system)
Link to landing video
Link to announcement video
I hope the pictures below are not taken lightly. I contemplated my intentions in posting them but thought it was so nice of them to send me the flag I should share.
Perry Siegel
Sgt
US Army Ret.
Morgan, modern sets, circulated Kennedys, and Wisconsin error leaf quarter Collector
First (and only - so far) Official "You Suck" Award from Russ 2/9/07
Anyone have a nice flag case or know where I can get one for the right price.. I heard, I can ask certain orgs down my area and they will get my son one, but I can't find them less than $200 bucks.. So any help out there. Also great stuff Jesse.
The story behind this $2 bill is: My Grandfather always kept a $2 bill in his billfold because it takes two to multiply and you will never go broke. He carried it with him during WWII and took a hit in the rear end, destroying the $2 bill. As soon as he was released from the hospital, he found another bill to keep with him. My Grandfather passed about 20 yrs. ago from cancer so my Grandmother continued on with the tradition. This last Christmas she gave each of the grand kids a $2 bill with the accompanying letter. She knows that I collect coins and currency and wanted me to carry the actual bill that my Grandfather did.
One of the things I keep close to me.
Thanks for letting me share and thanks to all who have and are serving,
Lestrrr
soty27
rons