John F Kennedy (CVA 67) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 33 text:

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Page 32 text:

,.n.!J1.b1 x .3 -a NJ 4 -- 'T TJ 1., . 4 . my ' Q if s r s-01 .LQ ---- Cla A-6'l . . . god bless you after the navy had accepted the ship and the colors were set capt. yates assumed command and cdr. smith set the first watch. uss john f. kennedy was officially a member of the fleet as a token of appreciation from the crew caroline kennedy was presented the traditional gift from crewmen to sponsor. . . in this case a specially crafted silver dresser set. she thanked the crew for the gift and, somewhat timidly, said . . . . . .god bless you... young john kennedy also received the pen from admiral moorer which was used to sign the articles placing the ship in commission. following the ceremony guests and principals made their way to the flight where caroline cut the commissioning cake and helped distribute it to the guests. then thousands tilted their heads toward the sky and shaded their eyes as the navy's flight demonstration team, the blue dove out of the sun in a v-shaped formation like a gigantic blue boomerang in a salute to the navy's newest aircraft carrier, then split like a rocket exploding and disappeared over the horizon deck angels

Page 34 text:

the day after on september 8 kennedy was opened to the public for general visiting. during the morning visiting was confined to shipyard personnel and their families but in the afternoon more than 50,000 people streamed up the gangway to tour the hangar deck and flight deck and see static aircraft displays. there was entertainment for all. music was offered by the navy band, the naval air training command choir from pensacola, fla. the 10th naval district steel band from puerto rico and kennedy's own marine detachment in precision movement with rifles. for four hours visitors were lined from the gangway up the pier and 31st street into downtown newport news. and when it was all over, the crew relaxed -really relaxed- for the first time in months. but ahead lay less relaxation and longer hours than before. the job was far from finished. there was still work left to be done on the ship and more training for crewmen. only two months remained before the all important shakedown cruise, the first test of kennedy's mettle.