I just thought that I would let you all in on what I have planned next month. Because of this, there is a good chance that I will NOT be at the reunion this year since I all of my "navy" dollars will undoubtedly be blown.

As you all probably already know, my oldest son is on the USS Stennis CVN-74 (www.cvn74.navy.mil/) and they are on thier way home. Actually they are partying right now in Australia. What a well deserved liberty call after 130 some odd days on station in the Arabian sea. They are due to pull into Pearl Harbor on 22 May 02 and that is where my dad and I will be. Jeremy was able to get authorization for both of us to get on board. We will be riding her to North Island San Diego and pulling in on 28 May.

That will make three generations of swabies together on the biggest baddest bird farm that is on the West Coast. Ironically, my father was on the USS Ranger CV-4 (www.warships1.com/UScv04_Ranger.htm)that was the first carrier built by the US Navy specifically as a carrier. This will be one of those "once in a lifetime" trips.

MM2 83-85
#2 Engine Room Supervisor

WOW, that's something all of you will cherish for the rest of your lives! Enjoy.

Wes

I thought that you guys might enjoy or at least relate to this. This is an article from an Australian news site. I was trying to find out where the ship was and this is what I found. This is so funny that I couldn't keep it to myself. Enjoy








<center><b><font size=5>US sailors wear out sex workers </font id=size5></b></center>
Perth
May 2 2002


Perth prostitutes were reeling from exhaustion following an influx of United States sailors stressed from a stint in a war zone, a well-known madam said today.

Mary-Anne Kenworthy said she was forced to close the doors of her famous Langtrees brothel for only the third time ever yesterday because her prostitutes were so worn out they could no longer provide a quality service.

When she realised the sex workers just couldn't cope any more she closed Langtrees doors for a day rather than risk the brothel's reputation.

"We're the biggest and the best, I'd rather take nothing than offer a poor service," Ms Kenworthy said.

Langtrees did a week's business in just three days after 5,500 American sailors disembarked in Fremantle on Sunday, many of them stressed from their encounter with war, she said.



Three US warships - the aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis, the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal and the fast combat support ship USS Bridge - were returning from taking part in the war against terror.
"A lot of it was stress, they'd been in the war zone," Ms Kenworthy said.

"And they were a lot more agitated sexually because they'd been at sea too long.

"All the sex workers in Perth would have been exhausted."

Ms Kenworthy said she had to close the doors when she realised some sex workers were taking money when they were not up to the job.

"The girls were starting to refuse to have sex but still wanted money just for taking their clothes off."

Ms Kenworthy said she wished the US sailors would arrive in smaller numbers.

"I just wish they could dribble-feed the Yanks in, fly a thousand off at a time," she said.

"We usually find the Yanks are hard work but lots of fun, this time they needed the company too."

Ms Kenworthy said the last time she closed the brothel's doors was on December 31, 1999 - so the girls could party.

AAP

This story was found at: www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/02/1019441406441.html



MM2 83-85
#2 Engine Room Supervisor

I'm jealous....

Perth was so much fun<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

Steve Green