Posted on 05/27/2009 11:28:57 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
Former President Bush Visits Namesake Aircraft Carrier
Story Number: NNS090527-04
Release Date: 5/27/2009 10:50:00 AM
From USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) namesake -- former President George H.W. Bush -- and the ship's sponsor visited the Navy's newest aircraft carrier May 26-27 to observe flight operations during the ship's underway period in the Atlantic Ocean.
"It is the greatest honor of my life to be the [ship's] sponsor, so thank you for letting me have that opportunity," said Doro Bush Koch, the former president's daughter and ship's sponsor.
"This is the greatest ship in our Navy and I am proud to be associated with it."
This was the first time President Bush has embarked the ship that bears his name while underway. The carrier is completing flight deck certification off the coast of Virginia which included the first aircraft to be catapulted from the ship's flight deck and the first arrested landing aboard.
"It is a great thrill for Doro and me to be out here on this beautiful day at sea. I'm so impressed, not just with the machinery or with the pilots, but with the men and women of this crew," said President Bush or "41" as the crew affectionately refers to the 41st president of the United States.
"It's just wonderful seeing the spirit on this ship. We are grateful for your service to our great country."
In addition to observing catapult launches and arrested landings on the flight deck, the former president - a decorated World War II naval aviator - and his daughter met with the Sailors on board.
"I was so happy I got to shake his hand, I've always wanted to do that," said Seaman Derrick Chaves. "It makes me feel special because no other ships get to have their namesake on board. It brought my morale up."
The aircraft carrier was commissioned Jan. 10.
For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.
LOL!!
I needed that.
Our incredible guys in the middle east continue that legacy today.
I believe the gentleman wearing “41” is in fact - Hizzoner - Bush 41.
That “push driver” IS Bush....
Beat me to it...*G*
D’oh!
Titanic has already been used, so I guess that one is out.
I have never been a fan of naming ships after living presidents but....
I may have been wrong, it is an appropriate gesture.
I only wish President Reagan could have sailed once on his namesake.
I suspect that the specially painted TA-75 was there because it seems like President Bush has lost a bit of his sea legs and needs someone to steady him.
There hasn’t been an aircraft carrier named after a democrat in some time. Reagan, Bush and Ford were the last three.
Democrats don’t allow carriers to be built and would be insulted to have their name on them.
The garbage barge S.S. Urkel?
OK, I wondered why the truck he was in was a different color, and why it had USS San Jacinto on it. Nice tributes to Poppy Bush’s WWII career.
It wil be a small automated ship, no weapons, no crew, auto-navigating, and instead of gunn turrets, there will be megaphone turrets that continually play the same repeating message to all other countries:
“We’re from America and we’re sorry.”
there will be a single “0” as its official designation as the USS Obama.
And characters to boot.
Both are on my list of who I'd love to have a cup of coffee at the kitchen table with.
Nothing. The Navy has no bath houses.
A trash barge, or a laundry ship.
A gurry scow. Hell, he’s not even worth that.
I think whole cart is painted in scheme of his Grumman Avenger. Note “barbara” stenciled on LF wheel well. USS San Jacinto was carrier he flew off on last mission => CV-30 was escort carrier:
http://knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/USS_San_Jacinto_(CV-30)/
Blue top, with gray underbelly. Cart has wartime insigna.
Here is best link I could find via quick search that has good image of his TBF Avenger:
http://www.rockymountainwingcaf.org/tbm_bush.asp?menuID=16~16~17~17~19~19
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