I was at our local convenience store, in my truck and just getting ready
to leave when I saw an elderly guy with a long white beard leaving the
store. As he passed my truck I noticed he was wearing a old, worn Navy
ballcap that was embroidered "USS Nautilus SSN-571".

The Nautilus was the first nuclear powered sub (or vessel period) that
was nuclear powered.

We talked a bit and he told me he served on the Nautilus until 1961 when
he left the Navy. He was a crew member during "Operation Sunshine"
when the Nautilus made it's famous crossing of the North Pole under the
ice. He met Admiral Rickover on the sub and had interesting
remembrances of him the kindest being, "he was a *very* smart guy".

It was interesting because about a month ago I watched a couple of
documentaries about Admiral Rickover, the building of the Nautilus
and it's voyage under the ice to reach the North Pole.

He told me I should take a trip down to Groton, CT to see it and take
a tour on it. It's been designated as a National Historic Landmark