12/20/2023
One of my most memorable times in the NAVY was a visit to the USS NEW JERSEY "The Black Dragon, early in my enlistment. I was stationed in Philadelphia and attending firefighting damage control school when I was able to come home for Christmas Day. My brother Tony and my Father drove me back to the base and my Girlfriend, Vicki was allowed to accompany us. My Brother had some contact there and we were taken aboard the N.J. for a tour. One thing I took back was the size of the guns on deck. Vicki could of easily climbed into the muzzle and the shells were huge. I am not sure how impressed my dad was as he served in WW2 and Korea as did the N.J. and my brother was in the Air force during Vietnam as was the N.J. When I saw here she was in the RESERVE fleet. Only after I learned of her long history did I appreciate that visit.