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Just about to have breakfast here, working on second cup of coffee. *s* Managed to get most of the stuff we got for Christmas crammed into the rental car for the trip back to VA Beach tomorrow.
Heading over to Mom and Dad's house later on to catch the UofK/UofL basketball game (GO CATS!) and spending the night there. Feel sorry for their dog-A 125lb spoiled rotten Doberman around our sons. *L* Actually he's been really good considering what he's had to put up with this week.
Have a great day everyone!
Today's classic warship, USS Pasadena (CL-65)
Cleveland class light cruiser
Displacement: 14,400 t.
Length: 610’1”
Beam: 66’3”
Draft: 24’10”
Speed: 31.6 k.
Complement: 1,319
Armament: 12 6”; 12 5”; 28 40mm; 10 20mm
The USS PASADENA (CL-65) was laid down by the Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass., 6 February 1943; launched 28 December 1943; sponsored by Mrs. C. G. Wopschall; and commissioned 8 June 1944, Capt. Richard B. Tuggle in command.
Commissioned just before the thrust into the Marianas, PASADENA completed shakedown and training during the summer of 1944 and on 25 September got underway for the Pacific theater. On 3 November, she crossed the International Date Line and, continuing on, joined TF 38, the fast carrier force at Ulithi at mid-month. Through the remainder of the year she participated in that force's operations against Luzon and Formosa in support of the Philippine campaign. In mid-January 1945, as the assault on Luzon pressed forward, the force sailed into the South China Sea and hit Japanese installations and shipping along the Indo-China coast and on Formosa. In February, the ships, now TF 58, moved against the Japanese home islands, then swung southeast to cover the landings on Iwo Jima, during which PASADENA added her guns to the bombardment group and performed patrol duties.
Replenished at Ulithi, the force, with PASADENA in the inner screen, sortied again in mid-March to soften the way for the operation "Iceberg" assault force with strikes on the southern Japanese home islands and the northern Ryukyus in addition to those against the main assault target--Okinawa. At sea for 80 days, PASADENA, as flagship for CruDiv 17, participated in the night bombardments of Minami Daito (28 March and 10 May) and in the continuous strikes against other Japanese positions on Okinawa and Kyushu (1 April--30 May).
After a brief respite at Ulithi and Leyte in June, the force sortied from Leyte Gulf for its last strikes against the enemy's home islands in early July and from mid-month to mid-August pounded military and industrial complexes on the Tokyo plain, northern Honshu, and Hokkaido in anticipation of heavy resistance to what appeared inevitable--an invasion of Japan. On 15 August, however, Japan accepted surrender terms.
Following the cessation of Pacific hostilities, PASADENA commenced occupation duties. On 23 August, she became flagship of TG 35.1, on the 27th she anchored in Sagami Wan and on 1 September shifted to Tokyo Bay where she witnessed the official surrender ceremony the next day. >From then until mid-January 1946, she remained in the Tokyo Bay area supporting the occupation forces. On 19 January, she got underway for San Pedro and an overdue overhaul. Training and local operations followed and in September she headed west again. From November to February, 1947, she participated in division exercises in Micronesia, then, after fleet maneuvers in Hawaiian waters, returned to California. For the next year she conducted local operations, then, during the summer of 1948, conducted an NROTC training cruise. On 1 October, she got underway again for the Far East. At the end of the month she arrived at Tsingtao and until May, 1949, operated off the China coast. On 1 June, she returned to California. During the summer, she conducted local exercises and on 12 September departed Long Beach for Bremerton and inactivation.
Decommissioned 12 January 1950, she spent two decades in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. She was stricken from the Naval Register on 1 December 1970 and sold for scrap on 5 July 1972.
PASADENA earned five battle stars during World War II.
What a year we've had in this country, world, and Canteen.
Here's to hoping that the new year will see the children of Iraq freed from the terror that is Saddam Hussein.
Here's to hoping that the Israeli children are protected from evil in their backyard.
Here's to hoping that the new year will allow Palestinian children to see courage on behalf of their parents and families to put a fork in the heart of Yasser Arafat, the PLO, Hamas, Hezbollah, and any other sponsors of terror.
Here's to hoping that the new year brings peace and joy to all those that dream and wish for it. For those that have never seen it with their own eyes, but know that tyranny isn't a promise of God. May you find the freedom that you long to have.
Here's to hoping that America will become more of a colorblind society in the new year. Here's to hoping that people like Jesse Jackson and Robert Byrd take up residence in Europe. (A continent that truly worships racial issues)
Here's to hoping that the new year will bring about prosperity for all peoples in the United States, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britian, and many of other allied countries. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Here's to hoping that the new year see regime changes in Saudia Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Europe, China, North Korea, Qatar, Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and any other country that opposes the destruction of terrorist and oppresses their people. Yes, Europe needs to have some regime change. They are a mockery of democracy.
May our troops be pulled out of South Korea. Those people don't deserve the protection.
May God watch over Taiwan and keep them free forever!
May our government keep their eyes focused not only on Islamic fundamentalist, but China as well.
May President Bush and his advisors be given wise counsel and may God guide them during their darkest hours of war.
May God bless each and every person that visits here.
May God keep our troops free and out of harms way. God Bless your families!!
Helloooooo to our troops, veterans, and allies wherever you may be. A big THANK YOU ((HUG)) to all for doing your part in keeping our country free!
Here's another way to send post cards, just visit MilitaryWives.com and follow the links. They let you add logos for things like units or ships. Here's a sample.
You can also pick from aircraft, WWII imagery, medals, insignia, rank, and scenery to build your post card. Here's a WWII example:
