My husband is the President of the ACVA (Adams Class Veterans Association) a group that is working to bring the last one of these ships from its current location in Philadelphia where it is just sitting 'in mothballs' to the beautiful Navy city of Jacksonville Fl to be part of the Jacksonville Naval Museum site. Tonite we will have the official opening of the Adams Class Naval Ship Museum storefront at the Jacksonville Landings.
It's been a busy week, as all these chronologically advantaged gentlemen climbed ladders, painted, hauled display items, polished their speeches, and subsisted on coffee and sandwiches---just like real sailors. But last night, as everyone remarked, they cleaned up well, and took their favorite ladies for a swing around the dance floor again.
I'm looking forward to an end of the festivities. After our quiet, laid-back Maine life style, the return to the more hectic, 'every minute filled' life is a bit more than I'm ready to handle on any long-term basis. On Sunday, we're off to drive down to St Augustine to spend 2 quiet days with other old friends before we start our trek back north.
I for one am looking forward to some snow, a big cat in my lap and a quiet read in front of the fire.
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they have a lovely lighthouse in St.Augustine you know...:-)
ReplyDeleteYou may be ready to head home but it certainly sounds like you've had a great time!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful occasion, and yes I'm interested because my father worked on Navy contracts for many years. I'm glad you could be there. One of the most thrilling things I've ever done was attend the commissioning of the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, at Norfolk. I get goosebumps just remembering the ship coming alive.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it was a whirlwind capped off with a lot of fun. My dad is a plank owner of some ship (might have been decommissioned by now for all I know) and I remember being fascinated by the official certificate thingie when he got it.
ReplyDeleteCaite...yes we saw litehouses, I'll try to post some later this weekend when we get home.
ReplyDeleteOthers...the Veteran's Day festivities have been fun and moving. We also have a plankowner certificate buried in the attic for the USS MEYERKORD (also decommissioned) and lots of plaques and mugs, and other memorabilia. We used to display it all, but have only been gradually bringing it out in small batches in the Maine house.