John McCain (DDG 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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BIG BAD JOHN SHE SAT AT THE PIER REAL OLD AND GREY. AND EVERYONE THOUGHT, SHE HAD SEEN HER LAST DAY. SHE WAS CALLED ' BUILDING 36 AND WAS LONG PAST HER PRIME, WHEN SOMEONE HIGH SAID, LET ' S TRY HER ONE MORE TIME. ' A FRESH COAT OF PAINT WENT ALL OVER HER SIDE, WHILE THE SNIPES WORKED HARD WAY DOWN DEEP INSIDE. A NEW 36 WAS TATTOED ON HER BOW, THE BOS ' N SHOOK HIS HEAD AND WONDERED WHAT NOW? THE CAPTAIN SAID. WESTPAC , THAT ' S WHERE WE WILL GO, BUT THE BIG QUESTION IS, WILL WE BE UNDER TOW? OLONGAPO ' S WHERE SHE FINALLY MADE HER WAY. AND EVERYONE KNEW IT WOULD BE A LONG STAY. SO AS THE WEEKS WENT BY, SHE MADE ONLY ONE PORT, AND THE CREW FELT SORROW, AND GUILT OF SOME SORT. DON ' T FEEL THAT YOU ' VE FAILED , THE CAPTAIN TOLD THE CREW, FOR YOU GAVE IT YOUR BEST , AND GOD KNOWS THATS TRUE. SHE ' S A FIGHTING OLD GIRL, ONE THAT NEVER GIVES IN, TO THE TRAILS AND OBSTACLES THAT ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. BUT HER TIME IS FINISHED, AND NOW SHE MUST GO, BACK TO THE PORT THAT WE ALL CALL ' HOME ' . REMEMBER THE NAME, AND MARK IT WELL, FOR THE STORY OF BIG JOHN HAS BEEN TOLD AND TOLD WELL. CREW MEMBERS WILL BOAST OF A TRUE AND BOLD STORY, OF THE MEN AND THE SHIP THAT LONG SAILED IN GLORY! 64

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r The hard work and lost sleep of the transit to Subic Bay was all forgotten for a few brief hours that Sunday in April when McCAIN ' s bravest and strongest met for battle in an old time smoker . From the speed and energy of Scott Roberts to the thunderous punching display of Larry Keeter, the gladiotors showed there ' s no lack of talent or enthusiasm of McCAIN. Through eight bouts the gladiators showed there ' s no lack of talent or enthusiasm on McCAIN. Though eight bouts the gladiators drove on with many drawing or losing Mahoney, George Walker, and John Demuro taking their turns. Bill Rowand and Steve Grabowski were totally spent in battling to a draw, and Astor Quilacio paid the price by dislocating his shoulder early in his bout with Marty Zachry. All went quiet when Mike Fugleberg and Gino the Kid Dulik went to war in the feature match. After changing ship ' s course with every blow, The Kid Dulik finally emerged the survivor and was graced with the coveted Trophy of the Crushed Can. Indeed, to the man. MCCAIN was ready for anything WESTPAC had to offer! 63

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TIGER CRUISE During the ship ' s return from WestPac, a program to embark dependents of crewmembers proved to be enjoyable, informative and exciting for both guests and shipmates. Twenty-three guests, ranging in ages from eight to 65, participated in a variety of shipboard activities. The experience proved rewarding for all! For shipmates, it was an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of our ship; dependents witnessed firsthand the rigors and routine of days at sea.