Aloha to San Diego - The Greatest Generation Walk

 

I woke early one morning in San Diego to enjoy the Greatest Generation Walk.  From the Port of San Diego (link),

In 1998 Tom Brokaw, the veteran NBC Nightly News anchor, authored a best-selling book The Greatest Generation. His story told of the generation of Americans who grew during the Great Depression, went on to fight in World War II and later helped build shape the post-war America we know today. The spirit of those men and women is commemorated with a collection of U.S. military heritage art in Tuna Harbor Park, the shore of San Diego Bay.

The Greatest Generation Collection, as well as the other military memorials in the park, honor and celebrate the people, events and military heritage spanning the time from World War II to today. Located in the shadow of the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Midway, the artworks and provide a magnificent setting in which to learn, remember and become inspired.

"Unconditional Surrender" is a 25-foot sculpture that brings to life a famous black and white image of a sailor kissing a young nurse in Times Square, New York City, on August 14, 1945. The image captures the spontaneous eruption of joy and euphoria that swept a war-weary nation when the public announcement was finally made that World War II was over. 

Bob Hope, the actor, entertainer and comedian, is almost universally known around the world for his long career as a star of film and television. Yet it is in the hearts of generations of U.S. servicemen that his most enduring legacy resides. For a span of over fifty years beginning in 1943, he dedicated himself to entertaining soldiers, sailors and airmen of the armed forces in the many battle fronts and remote outposts where they've served throughout the world. His overseas USO tours, which often took place over Christmas, were deeply appreciated and fondly remembered by countless thousands of servicemen on protracted tours of duty, often under combat conditions, far from their homes and families.

 

The tribute broadcasts several of his skits ... I laughed along with the recorded cheers of the military personnel.

The bronze sailor stands in front of the USS San Diego memorial. The Pacific Ocean is depicted on the ground in front of him; Hawaii is behind him.  Thank you, the Greatest Generation, for your service!  I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter from this week's posts - today's comments are open forum.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

 Another view of the Kissing Couple

Aloha to San Diego: USS Midway (Part 7) - City At Sea

The USS Midway is truly a city at sea.

 

Sailors could worship ... 

... or meet with the chaplain in his private quarters.

Six months at sea gives sailors access to semi-annual teeth cleaning ... 

... or maybe root canal!

Sailors also have access to medical care ... 

... let's hope the doc locks down the wheeled equipment in case the ship rocks!

 The series of hatches is something from the Twilight Zone!

This is my favorite picture of all - I bought several books!

Thank you for joining me on this tour of the USS Midway! I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected comment from this week's blog posts. Today's comments are open forum. Comments are open through Saturday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 31 at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to San Diego: USS Midway (part 6) - Bunny Tubes, Expansion Joints, and Life Rafts

Let's look at the 90s technology before the USS Midway retired in 1992. 

Below are "bunny tubes', channeling urgent printed radio messages rolled up inside containers around the ship with compressed air. 

The expansion joint is another example of ...

... American engineering and ingenuity.

I would pay particular attention to the location of the life rafts. 

I found them!

What's inside?

Enough supplies for 25 sailors in a life raft!

Do you have any vintage telephones or computers in your home or office? One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 31, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Next: Chapel, Surgery, Dental, Officer Country, and Book Store!

Aloha to San Diego: USS Midway (part 5) - The Flight Deck

Let's explore the flight deck.  Above is a mannequin representing the catapult crew member, perhaps one of the most dangerous jobs in the Navy.

Here's the catapult track.

The USS Midway offers a variety of aircraft on display.

Folding wings saves space!

Looking down at the hanger deck, 

. 

the elevator brings aircraft up to the flight deck.  It is now a cafe.

The USS Midway offers a view of the larger than life Kissing Couple ... 

.... and the San Diego marina.

Gotta love the S-3 Viking,

an Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft,  

with the luck of the Irish!

The crow's next towers over the flight deck ... 

.... with Old Glory flying proudly!

The flight deck crew face a variety of danger ... 

... including being blown off the carrier.  The fence like mechanism offers a safety catch.

The view from the end of the flight deck is illuminating ...

... to watch the Coronado ferries sail by the USS Midway.

 It's up in the air or into the water.

A family poses like the catapult crew.  I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter from this week's posts - today is open forum! Comments are open through Saturday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

In sync!

Aloha to San Diego: USS Midway (Part 4) - War Room and Ready Room

The USS Midway was launched in September 1945 and served through September 1992.  She is the only WWII era ship which served in the Persian Gulf War.  Hence, the Midway has that 90s techno look.

The white board in the back lists the ships under her command.

These volunteers are Navy veterans!

Oh, I like that name - Big Dog!

Gotta love the can do attitude!

From the USS Midway, "Each Squadron on an aircraft carrier is assigned a ready room.  This is home away from home for over 40 squadron officers: their office, class room, movie theater, and living room. Bulkheads are covered with bulletin boars, charts, and mementos from home. Television monitors provide weather and flight briefing information along with pilot landing AID TV (PLAT) video.

From this ready room Vigilante Aircrew flew the F-4 Phantom II (Pre-1986) and F/A-18 Hornet, participating in combat operations including Vietnam, Desert Shield and Desert Storm."

I am giving away a book choice to one randomly selected commenter from this week's comments - today is open forum! Comments are open through Saturday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Next:  Flight Deck