Where did you serve and what did you do?
My next ship was the USS Independence CVA 62. Commissioned on 06 June 1959. Home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. From 1991 to 1998. On June 24th, 1996, she became the “Oldest Ship in the US Navy. Still a pit snipe Boiler Technician Fireman. (BTFN) By the end of the year (Thanksgiving weekend), I learned that I was in the next group of Petty Officers (PO 3 or BT 3) I got new orders for the USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63 homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. Within one year I put on E-5 BT-2. I worked in the potable water department.
The USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63 was commissioned on 21 May 1960. The USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63 was decommissioned on 12 May 2009. She was 49 years young.
In September 2001, the morning of the 11th or the 12th depending on your location on the International Dateline. In Yokosuka, it was the 12th at 0533 hours, local time. My friend’s wife called the Navy Dental Clinic where she worked. As we were washing the 2nd Plaine flew into the 2nd Tower. They said “Get here, do not Drive, just get here, safely” we got on the train went to 2 stops, got off, and walked a mile and a half. To find the end of the line. It took over 2 hours to get to the Main Gate, there is only one gate. Another hour to get to the ship. Once onboard 100% face-to-face Muster. Once we are given the updates and the limits of our boundaries, do not leave the Base.
On 18 October 2001, we got underway in the dark of night. Day time not going to happen. The what, the where, and we know the “why” are the questions. We will find the answers too. The USS Kitty Hawk took part with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment of the US Army out of Ft. Campbell, KY. To take part in “Operation Enduring Freedom.” We know when we left. The question is when we will come home remains unanswered at this time? On 26 December 2004 A 9.0 Earthquake in Sumatra Indonesia. In the Indian Ocean. In response, Abraham Lincoln was diverted to the area in support of Operation Unified Assistance. We returned 33 days later, on 04 February 2005. In that period, there were no known cases of Malaria. Due to the assistance and access to Fresh Water supplied by the Engineers.
Another cool thing was the movie “Stealth” with Jamie Fox was filmed on board the USS Abraham Lincoln and 2 other Aircraft Carriers. In 2004 filming onboard with the 2005 film release.
From 1993 to 2007 I was Deployed nine (9) times to the Arabian Gulf. At that same time assigned to three (3) Aircraft Carriers. two (2) steamers Homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
USS Independence CVA 62
USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63
USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 Was homeported in Everett, WA.
How are you #StillServing?
From 2019 to the present my soapbox has been “Voter Registration and Retention” for the new and the PCS’ing troops who are new to the area. Due to my lack of being able to vote in the sixteen (16) years in the military. During that period, there were three (3) presidential elections that I did not participate in, not by my fault. A fact I joined the US Navy in 1993. Senator Patty Murray of Washington State took her oath in 1992, she is still in office. I question her on what she has done for Washington State lately. As a rule, only I can take away my “Right to vote” nobody else.
Why do you do it?
Voting is A right. Given to us by the Decoration of Independence As a rule, only I can take away my “Right to vote” nobody else. To have a better voice in DC we need Voters. To have Voters the Troops need to be registered and or update their Voter reaeration. All of these things I can do from my table at the Main Exchange on America’s JBLM (Joint Base Lewis McCord). At election times i.e., Presidental or Midterms. the Primary and the General elections. In eighteen months, we have touched more than 3,500. New Voters and reresections, Nationwide with the internet and taking away the myth of the Postal Service and the change of address. with good information, truth.