It was a great day to be a Grandpa....

[2a5t2f7]

My six year old grandson was in for a visit and I decided to take him to the USS Yorktown for the morning. I thought it would be a great opportunity to let him run, climb, exercise, and see some planes that may get him interested in aviation. I wasn't prepared for his reaction.

As we mounted the stairs to the flight deck he ran into the sunlight and stopped dead in his tracks. I saw him look left and right. Then he turned to me with a face full of awe when he proclaimed "THIS IS AWESOME!"

He proceeded to go to every plane on the flight deck. Later, I took him through the Medal of Honor Museum onboard just so he would have an idea of what it represents. I turned and saw him at one of the interactive displays. When I asked what he was doing, he said he was looking to see if anyone with his name (Cooper) had ever been awarded the medal. He was so excited when he found John Cooper.

Who knows what lies ahead for him, but I enjoyed listening to him tell his dad that they were NOT fighter jets, they were NAVY jets....... I thought this picture looked like a young pilot who just finished the briefing and strolls confidently across the deck headed out for the mission. OK, a grandpa can dream, huh?

[Jackson]

Just couldn't let this go without saying,

"Way to go, Grandpa!"

[kscowboy1866]

I can remember being that enthusiastic about anything military when I was that age. May he have a long peaceful career should he decide to follow those dreams. Goodjob.

[BoldHighlander]

Ahh, brings back memories of my visits at his age to the "Mighty Mo" (the battleship USS Missouri) when she resided for many years in Bremerton Washington (before being moved to her current residence in Hawaii).

[CopperNGold]

What a great day for both of you. It is interesting to see his photo and wonder what he will be when he grows up. Congratualtions, grandpa! You should be very proud of your grandson!

[Kilted Rogue]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time with your little man!

[ohiopiper]

Well, I recognize an A-7, S-3, E-2C, C-2, and A-6.

Wrenched on a few just like 'em.

I hope your grandson, whatever passion he pursues, looks back in his old age at a boring and productive life lived in peace.

When we're young, we all dream of chasing after glory. The names your grandson saw in that museum? They did their duties and glory chased after them.

[Joshua]

I visited the Yorktown quite a few times when I was a boy.

[Spartan Tartan]

I love the Yorktown and it IS awesome! I am glad you took him and he enjoyed it. My son loves that stuff. We took him to the USS Midway in San Diego and he was the same way..had to crawl into everything.