John Rodgers (DD 983) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 66 text:

VISITORS During the JOHN RODGERS many port visits we hosted a wide variety of guests. Some were friends and families of Americans who lived in the country we were visiting. Others were new friends that had been made during the ship ' s short stay. At right are some of these visitors sharing our Fourth of ]uly Picnic on the fantail. In addition to visitors, the JOHN RODGERS was a host ship for FOREXTRAMID 84. During our deployment 3 Belgians, 2 Germans, 1 Spaniard, and 2 Royal Navy officers served aboard the ship. These officers, in addition to learning about life aboard a US destroyer, taught us about life in their navies. They also provided a chance for us to improve our knowledge of their language as their English improved. Our Belgian Guests: 2EV Carlo RIICKAERT, 2EV Guido FISSERS. and 2EV Patrick HUYGHE.

Page 65 text:

FANTAIL PICNIC i - i. Several times a month. nurLv:!- ly on Sunday afternoons, the cooks prepared a barbecue. This welcome change from the mess decks provid- ed a chance for the crew to come topside and enjoy the fresh air. Whether the fare was hot dogs and sliders or ribs and steaks, they always seemed to taste better when cooked topside. Welfare and Rec provided the sodas. We became used to finding strange languages on the labels when the Supply Department locat- ed local source for procurement. We saw German, Dutch, Arabic, and Hebrew alternating with Eng- lish.

Page 67 text:

LIBERTY CALL