Protests go down the drain Department: Engr Author: MM2 Sol The Bull Era: 2000 Date: 07/21/06 So it seemed that no matter what port we were in on the 2000 cruise we were met with protests. In Corfu a friend and myself were returning to the ship late one night after getting kicked out of a casino, when one of these protests was heading towards the ship as well. We were beyond drunk and had a lack of judgement and thought we should go see what they were so pissed about. So here we are walking next to the protesters, not understanding a thing they were saying when my friend disapears. "Jesus, one of these dirty protesters have kidnapped him, how I am going to explain this one to the people on the ship" I thought to myself. I could hear him screaming, but could not find him. After a few minutes of searching I found him. He fell down in an open sewer line that was being replaced on the side of the road.

kudos Department: Ops Author: Ron Eureka Era: 2006 Date: 07/21/06 I've never seen a web forum page where flaming, trolling, and other assorted condescending put-downs were so conspicuously absent. You guys are tops. Maybe it's because we've all been through hell ... The IKE ;-)

Shore power and relays, etc. Department: Rx Author: Flounder Era: 1983 Date: 07/23/06 Those of us who stood switchgear and load dispatcher watches would occasionally (read: after the first 5-10 watches) get bored. Some of us "Walter Mitty" types would start thinking of new and unusual things to do with the plant. One of the things I checked out (but never did) was how to defeat the shore power circuit breaker reverse power relay. Found out I could do it by just lifting 1 wire on a terminal board in the back of the switchboard. (cont.)

Shore power and relays, etc. cont. Department: Rx Author: Flounder Era: 1983 Date: 07/23/06 Most sneaky stuff you could do with the plant was as simple as that. At this point, let me emphasize to anybody "official" who might be listening: WE NEVER ACTUALLY DID ANYTHING NOT AUTHORIZED!! We just figured it out for our own amusement! On the Carl Vinson I once had to jump out one part of Load Center 43 in order to make a distilling unit available; the big transformer had burned up a few weeks before, we were going out, and the chief eng. wanted that DU operational. So I just looked around inside LC 43, had a friend in the machine shop make up some copper busbars, bolted them in, and - it actually worked!

Protestors Department: Air Author: ABH1 Era: 2000 Date: 07/25/06 Yeah a couple of V-1 guys & gals were right in the thick of it one girl gave a tit shot for CNN. We all got the lecture the next day on stay out of it & STAY OFF CAMERA! Forde had his jester hat on. That was his thing collecting hats,it could of been the Cat in the Hat cap. I know we all got the slap on the wrist & heavy verble warnings stay out of it. How about Hafia, they found out Americans were on the bus to the Wailing wall & where Christ was born & started throwing rocks at the bus & they had to devert to Mt Zion. I myself was in the Pink Palace rearranged the three beds so they all faced the window for the view. Made the mistake of telling a few people and next day back half V-1 was there. 22 Dollars a day meals & disco club included. $27 if you needed a phone or a clock! What a cool place, 15 dollar cab ride but the beach, the view, the little town at the bottom of the hill! Peace and quiet..till my crew shows up & turns my heaven into drunken squids! :>) Gotta love em!

Brother Wags and the other Lost Sheep Department: Rx Author: Flounder Era: 2006 Date: 07/31/06 Just left Brother Wags' house last night after meeting his wife and kid(s) and enjoying all the hospitality for a couple of days - it was awesome! Thanks again Wags and Cheryl! Got to see the one-and-only Lost Sheep Band in action; they're just great on stage, and it's obvious that they really love what they're doing. If you ever find yourself in northeastern Ohio and have a little time to kill, check them out - you'll be glad you did! Time to start thinking about the Noodle Reunion. Can't put too much planning into it, because as Brother Wags says, "That would be un-Noodle-like!"

Jimmie Stewart Department: Rx Author: John Vrooman Era: 1983 Date: 08/04/06 Below is the obituary for Jimmie Stewart, he was a nuke electrician on Ike back in the early 80's he transferred to the TR and was a pretty fun guy. He loved to lift weights and beat the snot out of all of us who were smaller than him (read: a couple mechanics, most electricians, and all the ET's). He just loved to fight, occasionally I could get the upper hand on him but he would never submit. Jimmie bought a Gold Wing/Aspencade on TR and we figured he was going to wake up in a ditch because of that thing. I had lost touch with Jimmie but I heard he had gotten married, had a few kids and divorced. My prairs are with his family James L. Stewart , Chesapeake Friday, Jul. 21, 2006 James Leonard "Buddy" Stewart, 46, died July 18, 2006. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Burkeville, Va. Jennings-McMillan Funeral Home, Crewe, Va., is in charge.

It's what you choose to make it Department: VAW-121 Author: David Toombs Era: 1979 Date: 08/06/06 Joined 5/12/76, w/ orig. GI Bill. Back then, did not have women on board / Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The one woman I saw was guarded by 6 Marines w/ M-16's. While I've experienced & can relate to most of what I've read, but have slightly different perspective. For instance, IKE offered college classes. Took several courses incl. "History of Western Civilization". Teacher aligned course to the port schedule. So I knew historical significance of Italy, Greece, Israel, Spain, etc., what sights to see and why (besides the local bar.) At Sea, work schedule was 12on, 12off 7 days/wk. After work was done, had time to play guitar, read alot of books, work out (weights & martial arts). Venice 12K "Run of the Bridges". Skiing in Cortina Italy, Zermatt & Davos Switzerland. Even have Swiss Bank Acct. Now married 25 years w/ 2 kids. Completed BSCS & MBA. IKE was not a country club. It was what I made it and the time & experience was worth the investment. Focus on the positive. Quit Whining.

Pictures Department: Rx Author: BisonHead Era: 1987 Date: 08/07/06 C'mon people. We need more pictures here.

Norfolk...then and now Department: Rx Author: Flounder Era: 2006 Date: 08/08/06 Stopped at Brother John Shrooms' house in Hampton a few days ago...very sorry to hear of Jimmy Stewart's demise. We took a drive around Norfolk, including a visit to the base and a peek at the floating haze-grey object of our "affections." Yes, the Ikeatraz was in about a week ago. She sure looks different (at least on the outside) than she did back in the day. Much of the old Norfolk is changed too - realigned and urban-renewed, not always for the better. We both had a good laugh over the bitch book Brother Wags gave me. Thanks again for the hospitality and memories, John!