The saving of the IOWA

Every so often I think about writing the story of how Battleship IOWA came back alive as a museum and memorial.  A story that my kids can read when they get older and know why it was important to me and so many others.  The story is long, fun, and like a roller coaster.

As I think about what should be included, I reflect on so many people that dedicated there life to this great ship.  People that gave up careers, families, financial security, and so many other things.  Sacrifices that only true American's would ever make.  American's that are proud of there heritage, proud of there country, and retain hope of a better day.

What should be included?

In my mind, the human story is what brings things alive.  Let's face it, Battleship IOWA is a steel ship.  One that many of us feel is alive, but it is alive because of the people.

The human story has as many layers as an onion.  Layers with depth and layers with feelings.

To throw a dart at the story, I begin with this structure:

1)  The history of IOWA from 1939 to 2011.

2)  The human history of IOWA from 1939 to 2001.

3)  My story of IOWA from 2001 to today.

Maybe "my" story is a bit selfish, but I remember so many things and people involved.  The movement of IOWA from Rhode Island to San Francisco, HSMPS, San Francisco, Mare Island, Stockton, and so many other memories.

This ship is like a drug and I took it.  My only hope is that I can track the stories for my kids to remember me by.

68 Years Ago Today

As I think about the American Spirit, I think of what it was like world wide 68 years ago today - September 2, 1945.

This is a date that my mothers father (grandfather) was on board the Battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay for the ceremonies.  From his stories, all of the sailors were told to remain in their assigned positions - but none of them appeared to do so in the pictures.  The day was one of the most exciting day in the lives of these young men.  They can go home and see their families, start a new life, and live in a new world.  

From my understanding, the table that was used that day on board the MISSOURI was borrowed from the crew's mess.  As we all have done in our life, they also didn't understand the significance of the table at first.  Later in the the day, the table thought to be used was retrieved for display in the future.

The MISSOURI may have been the center of attention on that day, but there were so many other American's that celebrated the end of the great war.  This day was one of the most important in history, yet we lose site of where we have been.  Something I hope we gain back one day.