Bowen (FF 1079) - Naval Cruise Book

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First stop,— Villefranche O n June 30, 1987, for the first time since leaving the United States for the Atlantic transit, the boatswain s mate of the watch sounded Shift Col- ors. Bowcn had arrived in France. Villefranche, a small fishing village on the southern coast of Trance, is part of the Cote d ' Azur (Trench Riviera). In addition to a maintenance availability alongside USS Yellowstone (AD-41), the reason for the ships visit to Villefranche was to participate in Operation Friendship , a joint celebra- tion of American indepen- dence. As part of the celebration, members of Bowen ' s crew en- joyed a St. Peters day dance in downtown Villefranche. OSSR CHARL ES BtChrORD and QNSA Trails Imel. leti. celebrate the ship s arriial in France with a Isanterbrau at a sidewalk cafe- {Staff photograph.) The Commanding Officer and other officers cUtcndcd vari- L Liberty Call ous receptions, including a gala evening at the American Club of the Riviera. During the day, tours to Monte Carlo, Cannes, the French Alps and other areas were offered by the USO. Sun- ny beaches were available any time. Since the time of the Ro- man Empire, France s achievements in literature, the arts and science have in- fiuenced western culture. France is the largest Western European nation. France has great ethnic diversity. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion. On July 9, after an enjoy- able ten day port visit, Bowen once again shifted colors. i m i Celebrities galore in Monte Carlo In addition to the many at- tractions of Villefranche, nice and other neighboring French towns, Monte Carlo wasjust a train ride away from fleet landing. For Bowen sailors who made the trip, a city of adventure awaited them. Some, like FC2 Murillo Millin, met celebrities Joan Collins, Roger Moore, John Forsythe and others at the Pan Am Tennis Tourna- ment. Others visited the grounds and palace of Mona- co ' s royal family. Still others sampled the night life, includ- ing the elaborate casinos, of- rC2 MURILLO MILLin, above, met John Forsythe and Joan Collins, stars of the television show fered by this reSOrt city. Dynasty , at a celebrity tennis toumament in Monte Carlo. (Staff photograph.) rt Call 9

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L T JOSEPH ZA VODriY and L TJQ Jeffery Knight, below middle, wai- ting for a liberty boat on the ship s fantail in Villefranche, France. (Photograph by LT Jurewicz.) OSSA KEiy MEAGhER. OS2 John George and OSSn Geoffrey Bish- op, below, spent a day touring the neighboring town of nice. France. (Photograph by EC2 Nillin.) v w, S OJ hEVin DAVIS and STG3 AMS3 DOUG CAnGLEY and AEI Tom Smith left. rela. at a french Dennis Dishncr. above, walk the cafe in l icc, France. (Photograph by STG2 Johnson.) streets of Villefranche while ■.tandinii slioic p.itiol dtit} . om.inh In li IV Mien I 8 iihcrty Call

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Sicily, Italy discovered With a total of four separate visits to each country, Bowens crew came to know ports in Sicily and Italy better than perhaps any others during MED 3-87. From Maples, which the ship visited in September, a large number of sailors ventured to the ancient city of Crew members attend a papal audience. Rome. Thirty Bowen sailors attended the weekly papal au- dience given by Pope John Paul, II. Born in Poland, Pope John Paul II is the first non-Italian Pope in nearly five centu- ries. He succeeded John Paul I on October 16, 1978 . BOWEri visited Bari, Italy from August 28 to September 2. In Roman times, Bari was a thriving seaport. Today, it is an important shipping center, served by five railroads and four main highways. The ship moored in Palermo, Sicily twice — once at the end of July, and again in late October. Nondello beach, with it ' s shops, restaurants and tourists, was popular dur- ing both visits. During the second visit to Palermo, crew members from Bowen, USS Page (FPQ-S) and USS Sierra (AD-18) watched a USO show performed on Page s fantaii. Before shifting colors for other ports, many Bowen sailors also rode the go carts at a local carnival. rnsn victor ROMAn, right, relaxes spent hours on the sunny beaches and by a fountain while touring the shops boardwalks of Sicily. (Staff photo off ' alcrmo. Sicil) . In addition to a vari- graph. I cty of stores. inan crew members i ABOVi-:. rorr.toiin r.nii iiic. an Knglish lc l (liiiiinj.i iKipdl , dicncc. A group of 30 liowcn • . ors attended the audience. (I ' ho tograpli by r.ns Haul.) A WALI ina rOUH of the cil 11 fiome gave crew members. ii ilil a chance to observe the ancient city, including the Colliseuni, in closer detail. (Staff photograph. I ' ■■ ' ' ' % I 10