America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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7 -- .L-.,-1 'rg' ':'f+w' ' M-fi-'f' 1, - -' ' X 1 ' . -, +P ,--,fs , ft- ,gg - . -a t, 1, . h . ...I 'X 3 -1,.vi3,,L . , ,135 . ,, 1 iv, A -L - ': 1 A VPN A I It's- the start of ' the perfor-D mance and the lights have all grown dim. The audience sits and waits for a new episode to begin. They anticipate - they're anxious - electricity's in the room. A. march into' the world's next epoch is. begin- ning, soon! The people of the nation now will stand and watch as one. But every parent strains to hear the voice of his own son. , The images return and slowliy focus in my mind. The flight deck and the main spaces, the aircraft all I find. The memories are more distinct, each moment, now, for me - I hear each sound, I see it all, I even smell the sea. The blazing heat, the piercing. cold, I have survived it all. But never was I all alone, for all of us have grown tall. I,cast my gaze before me and stare out into the haze. The sea is beautiful, yet 'savage in its many ways. When man sets out upon the sea, 'the sea knows he is frail. It clutche ' gtg swirling iumassp if? ond he 5

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UNITEDSTATES SHIP AMERICA CV-66 A ff 'M , , ,-5 1 , h , 1 , T ,.., If ff X I, A K,:J AL MX fi ! dA f-,.- ,f, -J . - If -J

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.,' .l g,'IiT-s7 .'54v,f .' WIQLGT, 9'r:'vFf:,' 'H 'Z '1 P1 f 7' .3 :fx ,, '. M' I - 5 :.:..L'5IEi1'.if img,-'L525. I 2 ' - Man embraces and strives to stand so strong, for he knows he will perish if his fear lasts long. Afar, on the horizon, the great ship rides. Her machinery labors with mechanical sighs. The vessel glides majesticallyacross the glassy plane. She continues in her sailing even if the wind should wane. Mighty she stands, far from the land. Cold her steelg where is her zeal? Has grey metal a heart and a soul? Can mechanical art have a goal? For she craves a heart and soul to meet. Man and ship become complete. .Coal and iron are swift and sure. In battle her crew will make her endure. And now she is given 'a mission to hold, but only be- cause her nation is bold. A potent work of the engineer's art, but made to stop wars before they start. Ironic indeed - in death we find life: an engine of warfare pre- venting the knife., t if . I sit nowfawakened by the roar of the.: crowd. The'nation's voices ia-re aloud. , Laughing and-