Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 49 text:

Witli OiiIn a Wick Kc ' m;iinlnu IKforo I lu- I rnl f)f An Kndless DcploMiicnl. IIARIM KS I I Kin Makes ()ne More Pick-l p TIGER CRUSE MUt a hnclptm visit m I ' carl Harbor. HI. H KIM KS I I KRV bc- t;an I he last leg ol her long ji)urne wiih a lew extra passengers. , bout 5 male relatives of both Saikirs and Ma- rines Hew into Honi - lulu and returned to the States aboard the ship. Though nobody knows whs It ' s eallcd a Tiger Cruise, the sev- en-day trip from Ha- waii to San Diego was an eventful i ne lor our I igers. Phi ti opportu- nities abounded during flight quarters, award ceremonies and an im- pressive demunslralion by Marines from Force Rcton, where the ship was (simulated) over- run. On the nighl before pulling into port, . pril 9. the ship received ev en more v isitors Te- male family members were allowed aboard for the Mini-Tiger ( ruisc. while the ship spent its last night floating from (amp Pendleton to San Diego. I ' nfortunalely. the seas were terrible that night, but nothing could spoil the excite- ment everyone felt on waking up on the morn- ing of April 10. 4Nn( -4 imior Tifcr actl the fVpUin ' t 1 ifCT I r i m: • • '

Page 48 text:

Right-BMJ ChfTilh sits with his fa- ther on the mess decks. Beloii-Jusi moments before moormg 3t Pier 6 in San Diego. HT2 Steward stands vKith his daughter in an emo- tional moment. Above-After commandeering the Sav Admin lounge for non-stop yidco game action, the Tiger kids pause for a moment to show olf their controllers. Kight-The entire group of Tiger Cruise participants gathers on the flight deck to witness an awards cer- emony. 44 • I Igcr Cruise

Page 50 text:

MARINE CORPS HOMECOMING April 9, 1997 Abovc-AI ' tcr six months, an AAV crew member greets his wiTe with a long pent-up kiss, while his sons look awav. Right-On the beach near Camp Pendleton, just as the sun peeked over the horizon. Capt. Niebel was met by his mother and other friends. 46 • Marine Homecoming