My son was in the United States Navy and stationed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk air craft carrier based out of Yokosuka, Japan until the summer of 2006.
He was aboard the ship and in the Persian Gulf the day the war was announced on March 19th, 2003 and I, as a mom, was sick to stomach and besides myself with worry. It was his birthday. I didn't hear from my son for a couple of months. READ MORE HERE
He served his ship and his country well, and when the ship pulled into Pearl Harbor yesterday my son was so excited! He has kept in contact with a couple of his friends and they plan on meeting up as soon as they are allowed off ship! (I told him to get pictures so I can blog about them :)
The USS Kitty Hawk took the place of the USS George Washington for the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 Exercises due to a fire aboard the USS George Washington on May 22 and currently in San Diego undergoing repairs. When the repairs are complete then the ship will replace the USS Kitty Hawk as the United States Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
The USS Kitty Hawk was commissioned in 1961 and is the only conventionally fueled air craft carrier left in the US Navy. When the USS George Washington replaces the USS Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka, Japan then the USS Kitty Hawk will head for the United States for decommissioning around January of 2009. Ah...but this ship served our country well.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Great video and tribute to the Kitty Hawk Sally and your son's service. Another hero in our midst. When I visited Pearl Harbor last with my camera, I was taking pictures of the subs and they waved me off. I guess submarine location is more classified.
When they had the movie Pearl Harbour my brother in law was a Lt. Commander and gots us on the aircraft carrier for the Pearl Harbour opening. It was pertty cool
Sally- I just love the Navy! I love the uniforms, the ships, the jets, the submarines, it is all so cool. I am a Navy brat and thought that was cool too!
Gary: I got this from You Tube...a guy who was there yesterday. At the end of the video you will see the USS Arizona Memorial...pretty cool.
Steven: When I was little my dad got us on the USS Enterprise for a tour...now how cool was that...as a little kid. I think I was about 10 or so.
Katerina: My dad retired from the Navy too. I lived in Yokohama Japan and Subic Bay Philippines growing up.
One of my biggest fears in life is losing my son to a war. He is 7 1/2, and though I know there is lots of time ahead of us, I fear the war we are in will last a long time and he will be drafted. Just a fear of mine that I often wonder about. I am so happy for you that your son is home safely. He is a brave soldier and you are a brave Mom.
Hi Sally,
I am glad your son is home and safe. Nice to have him visit the ship as a civilian.
Take care
Sally I spent three and a half years on the USS Ranger (CVA-61), and the Kitty Hawk was in port with us on several occasions.
Sally: Thank your son for us for a job well-done and thank you for sharing him to protect our Country! Very impressive video too! Thanks for sharing...
Woo Hoo, I know how pleased you are and happy for your son that is was excited. It makes such a difference when family can share in his personal excitement. Well done and congratulations and best wishes to your son and hopefully he is having a great reunion. These friendships are usually for a lifetime and they mean everything.
The Kitty Hawk is retiring? Is that part of what you're saying? Wow. I can't imagine not having it as part of our armed services. It's such a huge part of history.
Patrick: Ah...but for the price we pay for freedom? I still have to ponder (as I have for many years) what that really means :)
Kevin: Don't think he'll be going on there now...just going to meet up with his buddies :)
George: My dad was on the Hancock and went to the outskirts of Vietnam....we were in Japan and he had to leave on Thanksgiving. Wow...some memories that come up from a simple post huh?
Debe: I'm glad I found that video ...I just knew there would be someone who got a shot of the ship coming in (the news had it last night too)
William: Just got off the phone with Michael...he still hasn't gotten a call... he says sometimes it'll take awhile before they get to get off the ship. :)
Sally... I have been on an Air Craft carrier once before and it's powerfull.... huge, but I can't remember which one. I was like 10 at the time. In any case, thanks for the service of your son...
And thank you Jeff... funny how we remember stuff from kid time...from a tidbit of info from a post :)
Hi, I recall that yes, that is often the way the way it works. I will bet you have one Happy Camper when he does get home. But it may be morning as they pull an all nighter.
That is cool that it made it here for July 4th. It is the last of its kind.
I spent two weeks onboard the Kitty Hawk. I was responsible for maintaining the comm link between the Carrier Task Force and the Submarine Group. I didn't sleep very well during that time. My bunk was right under the forward catapult. I was definitely glad to be a Sub sailor, and not be stationed on a Bird Farm!
Hi Sally,
I understand sailors have a real attachment and fondness for their ships so I know many who have served on the Kitty Hawk will have mixed feeling about her retirement. Yes, it served our country very well.
Sally--So glad to hear your son is home and safe! Enjoy the 4th! You all have so much to celebrate...As do we all!
Sally - the Kitty Hawk certainly has a reputation that transcends time. How neat for your son to have served on this ship. You must be very proud. Cool video.
Jeff
William: I don't doubt the all nighter thing :) He has missed his friends since he got out :) Randy: Yeah...and that video was pretty cool.
Rich: My son is 6' and 275 lbs....thick kid. He didn't sleep very well any time with a coffin for a bunk :)
Cynthia: My son learned a lot..
Teri: Happy Fourth to you!
Jeff: That video was taken on the 1st when it was coming in...how cool was that...to find one on You Tube?
Hi Sally,
First of all, Thank You !! To your son and all the servicemen for serving to make this great country a better place.
Thank you for posting and sharing the video!
We were in Pearl Harbor two years ago, what a moving experience. Hope to return soon, very soon!
Sally- I enjoyed this after seeing your other picture of this ship. And as Randy said, nice it came in today.....and that you got to see it. As the mother of a son that served on that ship it had to have a feeling of pride just as it did for Rich and the others that remember her.
Kathy: My son is still waiting for his buddies to call. I hope that they get to get off and visit :)
Sally - first, thanks to you and your son for his service. I was never stationed on the Sh#$$y Kitty but have been on it several times back in the Tonkin Gulf. I was stationed on it's sister ship, the Constellation and traveled back and forth between them. I am surprised (pleasantly) to find out the Kitty is still in commission.
I hope your son gets to visit with his friends.
Congratulations on your gold star in the Military Relocations Group. 'Enjoyed this post, Sally, and look forward to follow-ups on it.
Sally, OK, how did I miss this one? Nice ThemThem to your son and thank you to him for the service he provided for our freedom.
Featured post in the ThemThem Group.
Thank heaven that your son is safe!!!! Children are such a precious gift!
Tell your son we are honored that he serves his country. My brother leaves for IRAQ in 2 months. I'm hoping to see him before he leaves.