USS America commissioning ceremony

**sailortats** · 12th October 14, 06:40 AM

Yesterday I attended the commissioning ceremony of LHA 6, the USS America. The first of her class as a new amphibious warship. I did go kilted but was the only one there in a kilt. I did however get asked to pose for photos several times while in the hangar deck for an informal breakfast before the ceremony.

On arrival to the pier

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Proof positive of wearing the kilt

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Dining area on hangar deck

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MV 22 Osprey VTO - one of her aircraft

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more in next post

**sailortats** · 12th October 14, 06:50 AM

More commissioning photos

Not every day I get to put my arm around a Rear Admiral

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the ship's band and Marine color guard

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Flag and commissioning pennant raised - flag only in pic

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Man the ship and bring it to life - note Marines running to board her

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Manning the rails of the newly commissioned ship

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**Father Bill** · 12th October 14, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by sailortats

Not every day I get to put my arm around a Rear Admiral

... glad to see you kept away from the Rear Admiral's Rear!

**Jim Simmons** · 12th October 14, 07:19 AM

Your kilted attire looks great.

**bwat** · 12th October 14, 07:56 AM

I think you look very smart.

**MacEanruig** · 12th October 14, 08:26 AM

You're the best dressed person at the commissioning by far, Sir.

**marypenny** · 19th October 14, 04:15 PM

What an exciting day for you. And thank you for showing up kilted. In my book, your dress was highly respectful. And this is from a proud member of The Sons & Daughters of Survivors of Pearl Harbor.

**sailortats** · 19th October 14, 04:49 PM

I think I can understand why you "Huey" guys don't feel as we sailors do. You didn't eat, sleep, work and play on your Hueys like we did on our ships. Our ships were our homes for many days, weeks or even months at a time without our ever leaving her. But I am a little surprised that you had no affection for the Hueys you served with.

**Tarheel** · 19th October 14, 08:04 PM

Our "birds" had their function. They kept us alive, took us to and from harm and were home when all else was lost. We would even ride one to the ground instead of abandoning ship under fire when in flight. But you Men of the Waves have some special connection we didn't with your ships. I get it because my dearest friend for the last twenty five years was a sailor (first Nam tour) and a Sea-Bee "river-rat" on his second. Before he passed he gave me something to ponder. His words were, "you fly boys will never know sea legs." I believed him.
Back to topic though, the apron would flap into our eyes if we fly with the doors open while kilted. Just a thought as I never tried it.

**Jim Simmons** · 20th October 14, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by sailortats

I think I can understand why you "Huey" guys don't feel as we sailors do. You didn't eat, sleep, work and play on your Hueys like we did on our ships.

I know that you are very correct about the differences between you and your fellow sailors and we Huey guys, as to how we each looked at our "ships". Tarheel basically summed my feelings. Though I did sleep many a night on my ship when on "primary", many days I worked many hours maintaining and flying on it, and ate many a C-Rat there too.