John Rodgers (DD 983) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 30 text:

COLORFUL HELSINKI CHURCH IN MOSAIC. BORDERED BY THE USSR THE PEOPLE OF FINLAND MUST ENSURE STRICT NEUTRAL- ITY FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION. ,Q CROWDS FLOCK TO JOHN RODGERS 26 .1

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l . W VICE ADMIRAL HOLCOME, 'Tm here to help you. l l 1 Of the many attributes that made Helsinki the prime liberty port of the North Atlantic cruise, one of the most memorable had to be the football game. While at sea, JOHN RODGERS was issued a challenge by the Helsinki Roosters, a local champion semi-pro football team. Never one to shirk a challenge the men of The Destroyer accepted and commenced to establish a team. Practicing during their off-watch hours, without the benefit of pads, helmets, and other essential equipment, the emerging team practiced in the pitching and rolling helo hangar. When finally moored at Helsinki the Team received, for the first time, the equipment they would use. Also for the first time the team practiced on a field that wasn't pitching and rolling and also where the entire team could prepare for the game. The game was billed as a must to see in the' local press and the fans, Finnish and American, flocked to see the game. After a good game the JOHN RODGERS emerged victorious, defeating the highly touted Roosters 22-6. While victory was sweet, more impor- tantly the crew ofJOHN RODGERS had once again worked as a team and shown that in the face of adversity, JOHN RODGERS Can Do spirit would always triumph. RAT GUARDS? . ,wg X. W-Nev l LW --Y V f - - Y , EWSN STWART, testing CNO,s new headgear project. 5 OFFENSE

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MEMORIAL TO WAR DEAD SHY FINNISH GIRLS... HELSINKI NATIONAL THEATRE , I STATUE WALKING TO PARK. WHY? gr, H.-f ' 1 Q '- ' l x . ' L. ' 1 r I 'fy 5 ' . A ' if , -,..-a,q-fv- -1 , V XX, .,.,. I f .' ., 1 ff OH! I SEE WHY. .