Posted on 03/02/2007 5:43:53 AM PST by PajamaTruthMafia
Beloved “Big John,” the USS John F. Kennedy, is armed and ready for the thousands expected to flood the South Boston docks this weekend for a final salute to the Camelot-burnished carrier
“I don’t think there could be a more fitting place for the JFK to make a final port than the city of Boston,” said Rear Adm. H. Denby Starling II.
Starling, in charge of decommissioning the JFK, told the Herald the crew has planned hard for this pivotal weekend. They are expecting more than 60,000 visitors Saturday and Sunday.
Crowds will see level-orange security complete with metal detectors and armed Navy guards - the M-16s were in full view yesterday - along with bomb-sniffing dogs.
And if you want to pass muster, report early to avoid the rush.
“The line is going to get really long really fast,” said Cmdr. Chris Sims. He said the Navy would “cap” the line as early as noon to make sure everyone sees the ship before the 5 p.m. closing. Sims predicted lines will begin before sunrise, but nobody will be allowed on board until 8 a.m.
What you’ll see is an aircraft carrier polished and proud. The view from the flight deck puts you almost eye-to-eye with the city’s skyscrapers while jets land over the bow at Logan International Airport.
Portraits of former captains line the walls and the crew is ready to sell T-shirts and hats (at $20 each).
“This is history sitting right here!” said Janet Ellis, who flew in from Jacksonville, Fla., to meet her husband as he disembarks from the vessel.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was scheduled to swear in 300 new citizens on board today, including several members of the JFK’s crew.
“She’ll always hold a special place in the hearts of our family, and I know my brother would be very proud of the skill and courage and dedication of the sailors who have served on her so well on so many major occasions over the years,” the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement.
Maybe they can drive an Obdsmobile off the deck into the sea for old time's sake.
Where are they going to (or did they) park it? I would guess over at Black Falcon terminal or the container port near castle island.
LOL. That was bad.
BTTT
They've agreed to, but the sailors said they're gonna keep the blonde.
What about Joe Kennedy buying it with the money his is making from trading with Chavez? And then he could sell it to Chavez so that Venezuala would have an aircrafter carrier to defend itself with if the US invades the country.
lol
With Crazy Uncle Ted at the wheel??
Pray for W and Our Sailors
I served on board the JFK during the seventies and watched an F-14 go over the side. The ship was in bad condition then. I can only imagine what it's like today.
When ever you travel the world and see a stone arched bridge, it says; the Romans were here. When you see an aircraft carrier..............
Just don't sell it to China or Iran
If Senator Kennedy had his way, he'd retire all carriers and spend the money on illegal immigrants.
What a putz.
Hey those water jets just gave me an idea for ship defense.
Would high pressure water jets diverted downwards force missiles into the ocean?
"USS JFK hits Hub for final port of call"
lol I saw that title and immediately thought. Oh God not again, what did she hit this time :P
Anybody got the pic of the car being catapulted off a carrier?
How much you want to bet that Teddy pushes through an appropriation for a couple of hundred million to make it into a museum ship for Boston harbor? The rest of the fleet can continue to fall apart for lack of maintenance funding but the JFK will be spiffed up for his brother's memory.
LOL
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