Experience of a Lifetime
Continued from page one.
We disconnected our safety belts, disembarking into a bright, sunshiny day on the 4 1/2 acre deck of the Eisenhower, and walked to the island, where Captain Dan Cloyd, Commander of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, greeted each of us. We entered the ship and walked down lots of passages, through lots of hatches (doors), stepped high (about 12 inches) over what I would call thresholds, and climbed up and down lots of ladders (steps). "Ladders" is really more appropriate because the steel tread is about 4 inches deep and about 14 inches wide…and they are very, very steep. (I used both rails all the time.)
After arriving at the Captain's quarters, we were served a "wrap," "corn curls," and chocolate chip cookies. To our surprise, all the crew members who had been in Abilene for the recent Eisenhower Birthday Weekend were there to greet us. All were from Kansas, except one. We were all seated around a large walnut table over which was a chandelier; table decorations graced the table. Elegant china, crystal, and silver had been set at each place. Captain Cloyd hosted the lunch, and he made several remarks about the Eisenhower and its mission during its deployment of providing security for all of us American citizens.
During the comments made by the Captains and Admiral Cullom, we were all charged with telling "the sailors' story" when we returned home. We were asked to be disciples for the sailors. They emphasized the fact that the Navy today is young, and enlists the best of our country's youth. Many of those on the flight deck are only 19 years old. They carry a 120# chain on the flight deck in places like the Persian Gulf and off Somalia, and do it with a smile. "Nothing is wrong with the young people today and they demand to be led" was a comment made. The officers' challenge is to lead and train, which they are doing. I saw no discontent and all I met and interacted with showed positive attitudes about their mission as sailors and their dedication to the cause of freedom in the world. A poster on the ship sums it all up: "Life, liberty and pursuit of all who threaten it."
After lunch they took us a long, long way to our quarters, which I believe were located a deck below the hangar deck…or at least 60 feet below the deck. We could hear the landings and takeoffs very well, and we were right below the catapult take-off area. All but two of us shared staterooms and we had two bunks with nice linens, towels, and other necessities provided. There were lockers for hanging clothes and others for folded garments. An "office style" armchair (with glides, not casters) for each pullout desk completed the furnishings. (Glides were safer than casters, I am sure.) A stainless steel wash basin and mirror were in each stateroom. There was carpeting on the floor, but no ceiling. Above us we could see lots of cables, wires, pipes, etc., all of which were painted white. The furnishings were grey. My roommate, Rick Williamson, took the top bunk, so this old man would not have to climb. Our belongings had been placed there by the crew. We then left for the first portion of the ship's tour.
During the daylight of November 6 and the morning November 7, we were given a very thorough tour of the ship. Some of the highlights are noted below, followed by my recollection of the night operations which we observed on November 6 after dinner with the Captain.
The crew did an excellent job of showing us everything on the ship that they thought would be of interest. Needless to say, we did not see the nuclear reactor, which powers the ship.