Post-commissioning thoughts
I'm a little "hung over" in the aftermath of John F. Kennedy's Friday (March 23) decommissioning and the busy days and weeks leading up to it. And that's as a journalist. I can't really imagine what the ship's public affairs and media personnel feel this morning. Their lives were totally crazy getting the whole thing planned and executed.
I just had a few thoughts and blog comments to share this morning. One is the photo you see there above. That's Command Master Chief Charles Dassance. He's the Kennedy's highest-ranking enlisted sailor. The photo shows him holding the US flag shortly before he marched over to the ship's (now former) CO, Capt. Todd Zecchin. Both men told me afterward it was one of the most emotional moments of the morning for both of them.
Also, these two blog comments were posted this morning, both from YNCS Don Harribine, USN(Ret):
There is no such thing as the official Navy abbreviation for
PCU Post-commissioning Unit.
PCU stands for one thing and
thats Pre-Commissioning UNit.
They should not be confused as one in the same.
March 25, 2007 8:11 AM
The official Navy abbreviation of
PCU Pre-commissioning Unit should not be confused with the unofficial
abbreviation of PCU Post-commissioning Unit. The two are entirely different entities.
They are using PCU Post-commissioning unit for the crew of USS JFK as she goes through the
decommissioning process.
Don's comment was in response to my using "PCU" in one of the blog post headlines below. Don: I am grateful for the explanation.
And then there was this post from Rochelle DeAnda who missed Friday's ceremony at Mayport Naval Station:
"My husband was aboard the ship from '93-'97. We are heartbroken that we hadn't heard the ceremony was today. We would've been there. Now I'm desperately trying to find a video copy of the event! Too bad there wasn't a more organized announcement to former sailors, perhaps by mail ahead of time."
That's a bummer. Rachel, you can find lots of excellent photos and videos right here on Jacksonville.com. Just type in keyword "kennedy" and you'll see it all right there.
Jeff
posted by Jeff at
8:25 AM
3 Comments:
For what we've been told the JFK's official name has been changed to Detachment John F. Kennedy and not PCU John F. Kennedy
thanks for the post JFK Sailor. the post-commissioning unit designation was given to me at the ceremony by an officer with the ship's media department. i will call over there on Tuesday (when i return to work) and get it cleared up. thanks.
Just wanted to pop in, this is the Rochelle DeAnda that you quoted in your blog...Luckily I did track down several photos and I was sent a DVD copy of the entire ceremony from the local TV news station. Thank you so much for your concern---I was glad to find your blog!
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