George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 222 text:

Ditch runners passed baton to Navy Marine Corps Relief The “Ditch run was truly a shipwide event. Forty-one teams comprising a field o f more than 300 runners sprinted, strided. jogged, and walked their way around the flight deck in a 10-hour relay. By day's end. S2.000 had been raised for Navy Marine Corps Relief. This was the best way to go through the Suez: team spirit, camaraderie and esprit de corps. ” Chaplain Glen Krans said in between stints carrying CRMD's aspergillium (holy water rattle) that doubted as his team's baton. Day 130 Sports 205

Page 221 text:

I m Exhibition basketball in France and a “Run the Ditch Jun run for Xavy Marine Corps Relief during the ship's second transit through the Suez Canal were two more events in which the crew showed their GW spirit. To a packed gym audience in France. GWs most accomplished basketball players showed little signs of rust from tip-off to the final buzzer. True to their ambassador status, the players gave more back to the spectators by signing dozens of autographs before and after the game. 204 Sports

Page 223 text:

International golfers Though underway time invariably cm into golfing time, it was nearly impossible to keep the sticks out of the hands of GW’s golfers once they reached port. In Corfu, Greece and Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, they competed in match-play, best ball, longest drive, closest to the pin, and low-scoring contests between each other and with Corfu‘s islanders. Ranging from pay grades E-2 to 0-6. the players probably would have traded all the prizes they won in order to get out in the fresh air and enjoy just one more day of liberty on the links with their shipmates. 206 Sports