George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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 J JHenvay, ihc days arc so long that occasionally you might overhear a Sailor say to their shipmate. “I only had to work 12 jiours today. Working an honest day's work is just pail of the job. But when it s time to knock off. Gif'Sailors didn't want to go straight to their racks. Many had alternate ways to help pass the time. When EM3(SW) Jimi Rowe wasn’t busy changing fuses or troubleshooting an electrical problem for some division, the 20- ; year-old electrician's mate liked to make the most of his time “playing guitar and spending time with the Lord.” Rowe's passion for guitar materialized into more than just a hobby. By the end of cruise. Rowe got a band together who played during the Apollo Night extravaganza. AIMD's AT2( AW) Curt Lycke also liked to make the most of his free time. His hobby during the 2002 deployment thougMas work-related. “I spent a lot of time working for my wings. said Lycke, a native of Colombia, Mo. “I also worked out everyday. I got to see some pretty good results. So did OS3(SW) Cory Stephens. But Stephens' greatest gains was what he got rid of. “Besides working on advancement,! spent my off time in the gym and I lost an astonishing 30 pounds,” Stephens said. Some shipmates went to the library to find a good book to read. Others could be found in the mess decks or in a lounge area playing chess or roll playing games. Some sang, some wrote letters to loved ones. Even on a ship in the middle of a deployment, GW Sailors proved there are many ways to relax when they weren’t working.

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777 = nific turkey. Crimson cranberry j . y mold. Real mashed potatoes. Stuffing piled high and topped w ith homemade gravy. Buttered rolls. Grandma's house. Football. The Macs s parade. Family. Prayer. Thanks. Perhaps these arc a few of the reasons w hy family congregate each year on Thanksgiving I Day. For obvious reasons George Hialiingitut j Sailors didn't get to enjoy these time- honored traditions during Thanksgiving •02. As GIF sailed in the Mediterranean i Sea on November 2S, the festiv ities that usually surround Thanksgiv ing Day were drow ned out w ith the normal duties of a carrier at sea doing a job. Deck Department's SN Jeff , McConaughy spent the majority of his I Thanksgivings in Nevada with his family before joining the Navy, Though Ik missed being at the annual gathering. Ik felt that being underway during the holiday was what giv ing thanks is all about. It may sound strange, but being out belt actually reminded me of home. the 20- ycar-old said. It's an American holiday and we're out here defending America and every thing we love about our country. Though McConaughy spent the day working on the dcckplates. the Supply Department made sure he and his ’ shipmates got a decent meal Supply dished out over 2.000 pounds of turkey, over I.OltO pounds of ham and enough deserts to satisfy anyone's sw eel tooth It was one of the best meals I'veever had on board. McConOghy viid. And I sure was thankful for that i . r-

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