Gearing (DD 710) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 47 text:

FoURT1-1 or-2 JULY MEMCDRIAL SERVICE During the years of the Mediterranean Squadron with headquarters in Menorca, a cemetery developed for burial of American Navymen who died while serving on the sail- ing ships of the day. In later years, English and German seafarers'-were also buried here, but eventually the grounds fell into dis- A few years ago the cemetery was red- iscovered. American Navy ships sent work- ing parties to restore it, and this practive has become traditional. GEARING'followed the tradition with a group of volunteers who spent a day cleaning and fixing up the his- toric grounds.. Then on the Fourth of july, a memorial service was held by Destroyer Squadron Twenty, Chaplain Peter DeRuiter. Modern midshipmen stood on the same ground which nineteenth century midshipmen had stood on as they helped to dedicate it so many years ago. The sound of taps floated across the Men- orcan countryside. Chaplain DeRuiter leads the memorial service with the honor guard and the Annapolis midshipmen ' Jn ' V Q1,2',,-. I .'.vj4 Military and civilian dignitaries came aboard for a reception buffet on the torpedo deck. A typical American picnic was on the menu. In a few hours the Walls of the American Ceme- tery were white-washed and the grounds policed and trimmed. .glibc color guard stands by the wreath the aptam laid on an American sai1or's grave. . ,aa 4,5 ,gi

Page 46 text:

'aw m,,.,f3f'5 ' 13 I' lw3nx:?f,I25 Conveniently located across the street from our mooring- the local gin mill! MEN CRCA i . . . Qi ..t..swfsV'?7tsQ2-e'l'iZQf22 , A, we: sm rf? f ln the evenings there were restaurants and sidewalk r - 1 y ' ii I , yialcswith excellent cuisine, both local and continental. -lls A Q 4 i i up ,mst 't ' ,f' 1, l .imeclami that Mahon is the home of that celebrated A QM yal ,. fsaladldresslng, Mahon-aisse, or umayonnaissegl' but 'eis f t t 5 :len if only a legend, today's Menorcan chefs still turn 'ssl i if 31 M - ' f i tr, t -ga t . ,Since we were the only U. S. Navy ship in port, We Xselyi i i ,QQ f-f eyyvi X on f it 1 1,fl1r1 played host to dignitaries, guests Qboth local and J - ,J V ,gli - WIS, rnostly Britishj, and orphan groups. The ship . tfitf s a . ,aff .. f' ' 1 ,Q T'iififfgfffkfflilyml ,k'f, 'i izllmgg , wiseven included on the Wagon-Lits-Cook tour of the ' i rt e' 3 t 'i sts' , if 'W MM 5v,5and!MeanWhile, earl liberr Wa th I 1 f th da , Among the many activities was the enlisted vs. officer football ,nh .Y y s e u e o e y, . . . . 1,11 trtoclear the shi f ' ' ' , game, viewed by curious islanders. The Wardroom, aided by I mend h p or visiting, or to enable the crew bl t. A 1. .d h. b 7 6 Ore l Q , ' - 3ulV4m51e522'-121 ship s party, held on a secluded beach -- at C IC nnapo 18 ml S lpmen' Won Y 3 Sq? ' mmm, .'Shopp1ng for Perlas de Majorican and i s Q lvl- l A me 0213 FPC 1S1ar1d were popular pastimes. A football j ,Omg 21 Qcal soccer Held tested the physical fitness of Ofus Cincluding a few not-so-Ht officers lj. l P . V, 5,,rggitl?E most Clljoyable was the opportunity to relax, i generally gush of Sixth Fleet task group operations, and . A H ,Q fummeri Althe In the Warm sun of a Mediterranean , madt Ough 21 Certain amount of work of necessity A Obed ' . vacation. One' thls Was one port that provided a real . ' ' them around We met many friends in Port Mahon-sometimes showing the Ship was all one sailor could manage.

Page 48 text:

v-f CASABLANCA, Moaocco The governor of Casablanca is piped aboard with full honors as were other dignitaries. ST l Captain Robert M. Pond, Commander, De- stroyer Squadron Twenty greets the Casa- blancan governor as Commander Leis looks on. V '1 . . exinedwyfomen, Arab students, French families, a so 0fOCC'0jbased American shore sailors were me Offhe visitors aboar Only three days after leaving Port Mahon, GEARING, with the Commodore, Captain Robert M. Pond, Commander, Destroyer Squadron Twenty embarked, pulled into the harbor at Casablanca, Morocco. Our three-day visit was essentially one of honors and pro- tocol, with a full schedule of ofhcial calls and social functions. The ship was open for multilingual visitors, and they came in great numbers. English, French, Arabic, Spanish, and even Greek were heard on the quarterdeck, and all were greeted with Welcome Aboardl' pamphlets in their own language. Occasionally translation was a problem, but smiles and outstretched hands of greeting needed no interpretation. A fine tour to the Moroccan capital of Rabat was offered on two days, and many of us took advantage of the opportunity to visit the tourist attractions, and the everyday life of the people of this Islamic country was in evidence everywhere. For many this was our Hrst glimpse into a non-Western culture, and even. the bus ride through the countryside was an education in socio- logy. We were soon experienced in the accepted practlce of bargaining for everything, from the price of a rug or blanket or brassware gong to taX1 fare. d ship in Casablanca. TWO t uCasbailqLiiSag'OWRilfD2lt were highlighted by visits to milsquen C as the royal palace and an anci