Navy Prepares for Aircraft Carrier USS Kennedy to be Decommissioned

Fox News ^ | AP

[stm]

MAYPORT, Fla. — Sailors in blue lined the deck of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy on Friday as guns boomed to commemorate the decommissioning of "Big John" after nearly 40 years of service.

Officers gathered in front of a screen displaying a large American flag, and speakers echoed the words of the carrier's namesake, including the famed line from President Kennedy's 1961 inauguration: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

[stm]

The end of an era.

[ElkGroveDan]

I'd love to see the headline, Bouyant Behemouth Kennedy to be Put Away.

[mass55th]

"I'd love to see the headline, Bouyant Behemouth Kennedy to be Put Away."

I'm with you. Isn't it time to retire the A.S.S. Ted Kennedy? Since he's never been in "dry dock," maybe we can find a more suitable place for the tub.

[stockpirate]

It was shot by a lone gunman from 100 yards away while moving at 12 MPH.

It was reported that there may have been a shot fired from a grassy knoll area too.

[Gay State Conservative]

Went to see the JFK during her visit to Boston a few weeks back.This former Army desk jockey was very impressed,indeed.I was surprised,however,when a crew member told me that the JFK wasn't nuclear powered...but on further thought I realized why civilians might not be allowed on to a nuke powered (or armed) vessel.

[B-Chan]

All good things must come to and end. Still, the day they send the 'Prise to the wreckers will be a tough one for Yours Truly.

B-chan
Former MM3
USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65)

[colorado tanker]

The Kennedy is the last of the conventionally powered carriers. The end of an era.

[digger48]

Just as in

"provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare,,.....

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Todays Democrats spit on such notions....

[Gay State Conservative]

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Todays Democrats spit on such notions....

They also spit at "we will support *any* friend and oppose *any* foe"

[brownsfan]

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Think about that. That's how far we've fallen as a nation. That line could NEVER be said today expressed as an original idea. Sure, you can quote the line, but if it had never been said, and someone said it...
They would be called:
Neocon
Fascist
Hate monger

Among other things.

Very sad. I fear for where this country is headed.

[stuartcr]

It is not what I would call, a lucky ship.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

President Kennedy had it right when he said those words. Had he lived, who can know how the Viet Nam story would have turned out.

[Zeroisanumber]

President Kennedy had it right when he said those words. Had he lived, who can know how the Viet Nam story would have turned out.

If MacNamara is to be believed, it sounds like JFK was planning to wind up our involvement in Vietnam within the next year or two.

That might just be wishful thinking on old Mac's part, but he did give several pieces of circumstantial evidence that showed that Kennedy was leaning towards that direction.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You know; I heard this in one of Robert Strange Mac's speeches after he started speaking in public again but I have a hard time believing it. JFK and RFK were Cold Warriors, pure and simple. Bobby was actually a little more ruthless about it than Jack was if you remember the Teamster and Castro stories from the era.

[SkyDancer]

The last non-nuclear carrier we have thanks to Jimmy Carter ....

[GATOR NAVY]

JFK was the last built-but the older Kitty Hawk is in commission.

[colorado tanker]

I thought the Kitty Hawk had been decommissioned. Thanks for the correction.

[riverdawg]

"The Kennedy is the last of the conventionally powered carriers."

The Kitty Hawk is conventionally powered and still in service.

[riverdawg]

"The last non-nuclear carrier we have thanks to Jimmy Carter."

It is possible to blame many things on Carter, but the Nimitz class of nuclear-powered carriers was conceived, designed, and (the first one) built well before Carter was President. And before the Nimitz class, there was the USS Enterprise, CVN 65, commissioned in 1961.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

If you want to blame anyone, look at LBJ.