John Rodgers (DD 983) - Naval Cruise Book

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3' J' w - V '- ..-v:'..lw' W. , . . - 4, 5- K naw A' , v b V . .. , Everyone was eager for our vnsnt to Monte Carlo fin the prlncrpalnty of Monacoj Most of us had been here before and had already scheduled their beach and beauty patrol time The brnght lights and city life of Monte Carlo can be overwhelming but the John Rod gers managed to prevail and took the town by day and mght Most sailors enjoyed the beaches and van museum, the Palace of the Prince of Monaco and the Olympic sized swrmnung pool near the port, all free with tickets from the USO Some sailors even tried their luck at one of the various casinos, even the Grand Casino James Bond where were you when we needed you? Walking was the primary method of transportation but city buses and local trams to various crtles up and down the French Riviera were also used extensively Our visit was only three days but the crew made the best of the time ashore and enjoyed themselves thor oughly - ' ll ' ' ' ' ll ' ll II ous daytime activities, including the Jacques Cousteau ll ' ll

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Marseille, France is located just around the cornerf' from Toulon and brought many JR sailors back to France for ia second chance at improving French! American relations. Yes Martha, the French are still rude, but we found that they are rude to everyone, not just American Sailors! , f Marseille also brought our second IMAV with USS Sierra, so everyone had full working days and short liberty hours, but still managed many trips to the surrounding countryside and also attended a Medieval banquet and Jousting tournament. Sometimes liberty never went past the many beer n' burger booths set up on the pier These pier parties gave new meaning to morning pier sweepers IR sporting events included many double header basketball games and an exciting round robm softball tournament with IRfm1sh1ng second behind S1erra's best fthey had nicer uniforms and provided all the refereeslj The 14th of July brught Bastille Day France s Inde pendence Day IR sailors reported the biggest party they ever saw as people partied and danced in the street The fireworks display over the harbor was spec tacular and IR had a seat on the 50yd line . . . ' Q . f ' , - II - ll V O O O ' O O C C , D 1 Q O C C I . . . O Q K 1 , I f ' u t 0 ' A O If ' 0 O 0 , - O 1 v