Celeb sighting . . . Mark Spitz, Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer, was on board to speak to the Silver Sneakers (Old Folks). They are probably the only ones (like me) who remember who he is.

Hi there - welcome back. Remember me?

The day after my last post, a jet from MCAS Miramar crashed here. My neighbors didn't make it out, but just the front of our house was burned. I lost 2 cars and some 'stuff', but I wasn't hurt. My 2-yr old grandson and I made a dash out the back to safety.



That's my neighbor's truck stuck in the road, and my house under all that flame. If it looks dark . . . remember - it happened at 12 noon ! That is the black jet fuel burning.

Anyway - it's over now. They repaired the house and life is 'back to normal' - sort of.

Today is Dec 7, the 67 anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor

The ceremony on the bow this morning was solemn, reverent, and awesome with each of the Pearl Harbor Survivors present telling their story.



They rang the bell in remembrance of their shipmates who made the supreme sacrifice in service of their country



Then they tossed a wreath into the sea at the exact time of the attack 67 years ago

I met a really cool group, visiting from France.

I know just a few words in French - and made some great new friends !

The SE tonight was set up with lots of games and tech stations . . . but the center pieces on the tables looked good


They also had a Toys for Tots drive on board. They were very generous
The Marines looked good too.

A big SE this evening on board - Educators !

They had a great time:
fortune tellers

Magicans


a cool band (all dressed in black)


and of course . . . FOOD ! Did we get any ? Not a chance - oh well.



and of course . . . their special guest: Tom Cruise ! (look-alike actor)

I helped give a tour to a VIP: Capt Bill Kraft, USN, Ret. He had been the skipper of the USS H.W. Hill DD986. Yes, 'that' USS Hill - the one that served with the USS Midway in the first Gulf War in Strike Force Zulu.

Here is Capt Kraft in the bridge with his ship listed on the message board.

It's amazing who you might meet on board . . . I was standing watch today and met Alan Uke ! He's the guy who had the idea to bring the USS Midway here as a museum in the first place ! ! ! What a dreamer - what a doer.

We exchanged greetings, and a photo op too.

I gave a tour this morning to a Major in the Army, and her son. She is a Vet of the war in Iraq - and totally awesome