Say cheese . . .
Media specialists on the USS John F. Kennedy spent the morning taking group photographs on the carrier’s flight deck. Lt. Cmdr. Dan Doolittle said 10 of the ship’s 17 departments (such as medical, dental, maintenance, etc) posed for the photos.
Group shots aren’t SOP on every cruise, but the fact that this is the JFK’s last-ever underway period as a warship, people are trying to mark the occasion any way they can, Doolittle said.
If you have photos from your service aboard the John F. Kennedy, or those of family and friends who served on the ship, e-mail them to marilyn.young@jacksonville.com.
In a few moments, TU photographer Jon Fletcher and I will be escorted up to the ship’s navigation bridge. That’s THE bridge from where the ship is steered, and where the commanding officer spends much of his time. I’ll be posting a blog about the experience and Jon will send along some photos. Make sure to check out Jon’s other photos and video from this trip here on Jacksonville.com.
Oh, and I’m also told that The Times-Union is going to publish a big spread about the ship’s return to Jacksonville in Sunday’s paper. So check it out.
Jeff
Group shots aren’t SOP on every cruise, but the fact that this is the JFK’s last-ever underway period as a warship, people are trying to mark the occasion any way they can, Doolittle said.
If you have photos from your service aboard the John F. Kennedy, or those of family and friends who served on the ship, e-mail them to marilyn.young@jacksonville.com.
In a few moments, TU photographer Jon Fletcher and I will be escorted up to the ship’s navigation bridge. That’s THE bridge from where the ship is steered, and where the commanding officer spends much of his time. I’ll be posting a blog about the experience and Jon will send along some photos. Make sure to check out Jon’s other photos and video from this trip here on Jacksonville.com.
Oh, and I’m also told that The Times-Union is going to publish a big spread about the ship’s return to Jacksonville in Sunday’s paper. So check it out.
Jeff
posted by Jeff at
12:33 PM
6 Comments:
My son has been serving aboard the USS JFK since Boot Camp almost 4 years ago. My younger son and I were able to take a Tiger Cruise 2 years ago from Norfolk to Mayport. It was one of the highlights of my lifetime. My son will be leaving the USS JFK at the end of April. I want to thank you and Jon for your stories and photos, it is the best coverage of this event that I have seen, which is especially important since I am in California. Thanks again!
Hello and thanks for writing. That Tiger Cruise sounds great, and I am assuming fixed-wing aircraft were operating from the Kennedy's decks at that time. That's something we're not seeing on this trip. Let me know where your son works on the ship and if I have time I'll try go say hello. All the best.
Yes they were! They had an air show for the "Tigers" where the planes just kept taking off and landing one after another right in front of us. The noise was unbelievable even with earplugs provided. No one cared though, it was a great experience. The USS JFK was on it's way back from Boston and New York Fleet Week. My son works down in the pit, Number 2 Main Machinery Room. His name is Gray, Douglas A. MM3. Send him my love if you have a chance, last I heard from him he was freezing and anxious to get back to Fl. Thanks again for your news and to Jon for the photos!
Hi Jeff,
Since you are going around visiting, I thought you might find my son as well. The USS JFK is his first ship too. He is FC2 Josiah A. Marhenke. He was "Sailor of the Quarter" once in 2005 and once in 2006. He reinlisted for another six years last August I believe. According to him, he works in the coldest and most fun part of the ship. He is in one of the computer rooms where the temperature is kept very low. I was fortunate enough to have a private tour of the ship in May 2006. What an awesome adventure that was. FC2 J.A. Marhenke will be leaving the JFK the end of March. We'd love it if you went to say hi to him from his wife, Nicole and his Mama.
Great job to you and Jon. We love all the pictures and blogs. Keep them coming.
Navy Mama
Dear Navy Mamma: I will see if I can find your son tonight. What my chances are, given the schedule the public affairs folks have for us media types, I don't know what my chances are. But that would be cool. Either way, thanks for writing and keep reading.
Thanks Jeff, Just keep doing what you're doing.. and have fun!!!
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