John McCain (DDG 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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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