Yesterday we started flying from the Kansas City and after a brief stop in Dallas, we wound up here in San Diego. Today, Monday, actually was a day off with no travel. We found ourselves staying near the waterfront where the Carrier Midway was docked and I took this opportunity to visit this magnificent historical ship. I’d read about the CV-41 but this was my first chance to visit the ship.
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Now my path did not lead me in the service but my father and my two uncles served in WWII. My uncle Tarmo was in North Africa and Italy… Pentti saw action in the Pacific and my Dad found himself in Japan in 1945. This day reminded me of those men and frankly, of all the men and women who served then and serve now.

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When I was a kid I loved the F-4U Corsair… and here it was on the hangar deck. What a magnificent aircraft.
Wandering around there were some exhibits recalling the fall of Saigon and the many Vietnamese who found their way to this country on the decks of the Midway.

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My grandparents on both sides of my family came from other places and made this country their home. I found this plaque very moving. We are all from somewhere else… and now we are just Americans.

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There is no question that the Vietnam War is one of the touchstones of my life. Of course I did not serve… I was to busy playing guitar and the like… but serve or not, all of us who grew up in that time were shaped by those events. The Vietnam War is now farther in the past for my children than WWII was for me as a kid. We are indeed wandering across the century and the world is changing at a dizzying pace. Who knows where this Intruder was forty years ago. Today it rests on the deck of the Midway in San Diego Harbor. I am again reminded that today there is no way I can adequately thank those brave souls who answer the call to service.

A day off filled with contemplation and gratitude… this is indeed a good day!

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Comments

  1. Comment made on March 8, 2011 by Joe from DC

    I have been to the NO WWII museum as well while I have been in NO on bizz…neat

    My dad served on the USS Hancock in WWII. Hancock was also in Vietnam. I had the chance to tour her while she was in Savannah, GA. Very neat to see the ship mostly knowing that my dad had been on her years back

    Looking forward to the HT concert …new album party at Birchmere in April..keep going Jorma and Jack…

  2. Comment made on March 8, 2011 by Eaglesteve

    After the New Orleans show I went to the WWII museum. Next time you’re in town and have the time,check it out. You’ll enjoy it.

  3. Comment made on March 8, 2011 by AGRIPPO55

    The picture of “OLD GLORY” atop the Midway mask is truly a great photo. A true American you are . Peace.

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