Midway Magic!!!

OK this is a update from the reunion committee as we visited with several caterers and going to the USS Midway. It was myself, Claudette and Mabel.

Wow, it was amazing to be on board the USS Midway. It had been a long time for all of us that went who were part of the reunion committee. OK, I know I didn’t serve on the Midway but it was still very emotional to be on it. I had wondered days earlier if it would still smell the same as I remembered it. It’s that distinct smell of naval ships but I always associate it with the Midway. It’s kind of hard to describe… some liked it and others can’t stand it. It brought back lots of memories.

We met with the Pat who was our contact. We entered into the hangar and it appeared so much smaller than what I remembered it to be. I guess when your younger everything just looks so much bigger. There were several restored planes and additional things that tourist can do like flight simulations stations. They are starting a section in the hangar where they are putting more information up on the history of when the Midway was stationed and called Yokosuka home. It would be interesting to see how much more they will have added on to that exhibit by next year. We met with Scott McGaugh who has written several books on the Midway. He took us on a private tour down to some of the areas that were not yet open to the public. Hehehe, hey we get perks being a Navy brat, there were people that were jealous. We got to see the Officers quarters, mess hall, barber, laundry etc, etc, etc. It was an area that many of us were not able to see before. The highlight during this tour was going down the narrow ass freaking stair. You know the one if you have ever been on any navy ships. It was so much harder to go down those stairs now that we were adults. I remember it being so much easier as a kid. I loved going down them!!! We also went to the Chiefs quarter… I remember that area. It was a trip seeing it again!!!!

We got up to the Flight deck and it was a great view!!! A lot more planes were up there but they will have up to 25 by the time we are there for the reunion next year. Just looking at the “41” was awesome. It was a bit windy today so we didn’t stay up there too long. We went shopping in the gift store…. Went a little crazy but hey who care’s… I love my sweatshirt and by beanie!!! As we were leaving we were given an autographed book by Scott McGaugh who was kind enough to give us the private tour today.

The reunion is over a year away but I am so excited I wish it was next weekend. I wish you all were with us today taking the tour. Even Pat who is our contact was getting excited just seeing us excited to have the event on the ship. I can’t wait to have this event. It is going to be sooooooo awesome. There is a lot of work still to be done to finalize the entire reunion but I will tell you it is going to be great. I do hope that all you can make it out next year!!!!

Claudette took some pictures so I’m sure she will be putting them up soon.

It definitely was MIDWAY MAGIC!!!!