Day 4 - Norfolk

  Today we visited the Norfolk Naval Station, which is the largest naval station in the world. We all had to go through security before going on the base just like at Patrick.  We had a naval guide which was pretty interesting. She has been in the Navy for five years. She had just had a baby so was given easy duty for a year before she would be assigned back to a ship.  That is why she is now a tour guide. You are assigned to a ship, not the station. She told of a good friend whose ship has been reassigned to San Diego so she had to go with the ship. We saw four aircraft carriers with more than 5,000 sailors for the crew on each ship. We thought that a 2.900 crew yesterday was a lot for the battle ship. There were also two cargo ships.  They have a gold and blue strip painted on the stacks and if a cargo, or hospital ship is attacked; it considered an act of war. They also had a ship that can repair aircraft at sea. It was one weird looking ship.  The military is not such a bad gig provided we are at peace. They pay for your college education and all you have to do is pass the class. If you fail, you have to pay them back.  In the Navy if you want to go to college and you are at sea, you can take on-line classes. If you are single you can live on the ship, or apply for the barracks. Now there is a catch living in the barracks, your room is inspected for cleanliness and if you fail three times, you have to live on the ship and you bunk with 17 others for the community bath. Now since she was married she is given base housing.  She told about people who meet for a week and get married just to get the better housing. Not a reason for marriage. She plans to make a career out of the Navy.  This is also the base where Seal Team 6 trains.

   Then we visited the MacArthur Memorial which was also interesting. They had all sorts of memorabilia there and a movie about him. He was quite the general, conflicts and all.

   This morning we missed the talk about Jamestown which we see tomorrow. Yesterday we missed the talk on the American Revolution. We asked the speaker about the scheduling and he mentioned that this is the first cruise they had done that.  The previous timing on ships has always been perfect. However this afternoon we will get to hear his second presentation on the Revolution. Tonight we have reenactors, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. That should be interesting. 

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Tom & Holly

 USS Dwight D Eisenhower