"Jim" wrote in message
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John H wrote:
On Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:24:49 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:

"Don White" wrote in message
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"Eisboch" wrote in message
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"Don White" wrote in message
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"Eisboch" wrote in message
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Watching the live commissioning ceremonies for the USS George
Herbert Walker Bush CVN 77.

Love the tradition.

Eisboch
What network??
I forgot. I think it was on a couple. The live coverage was cool.
They go through the ceremonial commissioning as an active warship,
then announce "Set the watch, section one". Then a civilian guest
(in this case the elder Bush's daughter), says a few words then issues
the order for the sailers assigned to the new ship (who are all
standing at attention on the dock) to man their stations and "bring
the ship alive". All the ships complement then run in single or double
lines down the dock, up the gangway and take their positions on the
ship. From that time on, until it is de-commissioned, there will
always be naval people on watch aboard the ship. The commissioning
crew are known as "plank owners" of the newly commissioned ship.

They had a typical flyover by some modern Navy fighters, then they
surprised the elder Bush by having a solo, WWII vintage Avenger (the
type of airplane Bush flew in the war) fly over the ship.
You could tell he was both surprised and moved.

Even the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) in Boston harbor still has
active duty sailers standing watch aboard her. She's still an active
duty ship in the US Navy.

Eisboch

Too bad there's a war ongoing. We used to get visits from the new
carriers each summer.
http://bushcommissioning.com/

I don't know how the Canadian services compare, but having been in the
US military service for the better part of 9 years back in the "old"
days, today's US Navy personnel are amazingly professional.

Every ship or command has a senior enlisted, non-commissioned officer
(usually a Master Chief Petty Officer) who is designated as the
command's "Master Chief". (There is also a Master Chief of the Navy
as well). The Master Chief is the liaison between the ship's
commissioned officers and enlisted personnel for all non operational
issues. Look at the background and qualifications of the USS George
H.W. Bush's Master Chief:

"Master Chief Port holds a MBA in Management, Bachelor of Science Degree
in Political Science and is a designated Master Linguist. His personal
awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Air
Medal (Individual Action), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), and the
Navy Achievement Medal (4 awards)."

He enlisted in the Navy in 1986 as a seaman recruit.
Not exactly a slacker.

Eisboch

Yabut, in Harry's book he's stupid.

I don't think Harry has a book. But he should write one. It would be a
great way to fritter his time away.
He did write a book. About his brain I think. Was regarding masonry and
bricks.