![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0_wUrjXe6Kr8di-8fXhgs9o3maRPy8wSC1Gp5XX7o4k5DdQSsHwroQH_e_YauJEEL9-yP_WbbcbPDW3GUPUdK9qwTfT1r3QCGoRNHIshVK1j0SPeOjAnNArHH3yZhOe05Ok95FoZaG0/s200/USS+John+Paul+Jones+DDG53+-+003.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmfsEE88tqfgrUyc9BYenaZQwtflxdpODpfcwKNxE7o3dsgCMFzoaGB-k5cd_t_ChyCRSkrmowUx6bNUuqQMY4KzJIb5b4oUsgrO5dpbPEcplZk5HSzbnNhlPZld_tmwsI_GYduPGxxA/s200/USS+John+Paul+Jones+DDG53+-+001+crop.jpg)
The "friends and family" day was impeccably arranged...the day flew by so fast! The agenda was packed: speed drills, man overboard drill, search and seizure drill, letting us shoot all the HUGE guns on the ship, re-enlistment ceremonies, DCC/fire drill, etc. I even had a chance to learn how to navigate, chart our location...and got to DRIVE the DESTROYER! (ok, now how cool is that?!) The job these men do is incredibly challenging, and I have the utmost respect for what they sacrifice to protect our country. Seriously, thank you to Tim & his wife, Theresa, for their invite and wonderful hosting!!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GeJdbQ8p4hMSUPrL97-sXPYTL2G3RzE1ZuXuV4LJmH4PSoRKPEBkdKtt94yx4L54cj6x5OQuS_mkVhHTqq0d880I5gus6yYA49OMgTpy3FSkPAELGMhskXn2VHb8yn1CD-jz1vTWL5U/s200/USS+John+Paul+Jones+DDG53+-+016.jpg)
I met other cancer survivors on the ship, and it reminded me of my own battles I've fought...and the battles so many others fight.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxKMhB8jKzxLMnC0nNnYrkcxPSw6s_ofv94BPkMAyTOuJg6I81dGM9tUXIf5XyeuhlamMJLuHXvgvW9Prix5MyE-hMOeCbiqokCebR3AQXVwC56-Pl_qrV80Gs86YOl0Xb6mjd-NlHsw/s200/USS+John+Paul+Jones+DDG53+-+023.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUxaTIs3o6fU0BbRnP9_Wvdy-63yr6xf3N4Oz2Q_9pON0y1NvV6KObBLvEbg-_Lg5i-M3HgG9udIWQYHpqAShRLQHDDCrJKZY81u8u-igTNKT7TZQwknkc3k2x6IRZKwe9h7SoHoDEcY/s200/USS+John+Paul+Jones+DDG53+-+004.jpg)
USS John Paul Jones DDG-53 Official Naval Site: http://www.john-paul-jones.navy.mil/default.aspx
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_Jones
Ahoy, Matey! Those are some great pics!
ReplyDelete