Memorial Day in New Ipswich 2015 – Morning Ceremonies

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The morning Memorial Day parade forms on Goen road in New Ipswich. Peter and Bonny Jo Aho have been hosting a coffee and nisu social for the parade participants since 1977.

Nisu is a traditional Finnish Bread, absolutely delicious

What is a parade without a classic car? This VW had a red, white and blue surfboard. 
Selectman and Vietnam veteran Woody Meiszner

Veterans decorate the crosses with wreaths

We had a marching band! Thanks to the students at Boynton Middle School

Decorating the waters as the Navy Hymn is played

Rifle Salute by Donald Poirier & Post 13

Master of Ceremonies Ollie Niemi raises the flag in Smithville (New Ipswich).

Morning Parade veterans. (I marched but stepped out to take photos)

Throwback Thursday – Navy Edition

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My Aunt Adeline served in the Navy in WWII She kept EVERY piece of correspondence, Christmas Cards, books etc Apparently she went on a tour of the USS Toledo in 1946 Check out the website to learn about this heavy cruiser of the Baltimore class The video/slideshow shows these poor sailors lugging ordnance up the side of the ship. It was easier for us on the carrier

When I was aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard we would have an occasional fly over This is not very clear, but I think these might be Russkies checking us out

On the flight deck I didn’t know it at the time, but this is probably Da Nang harbor. According to a Wikipedia entry  we anchored here to show the alleged pacification of the region. This was 1970 and there was nothing peaceful about what was going on over my shoulder.

My locker only contained items I cared about, canisters of film, books and music cassettes. One small corner was devoted to Navy Stuff like my uniform Imagine how much more room I could have with a MP3 player and SD memory cards?

A restful nights sleep in bunk 64 on a thick “mattress” We’d sleep on our clothes to make it a bit softer and also “press” out wrinkles. They weren’t too fussy about uniforms and other nonsense during operations, there was too much work to be done. Above me was the flight deck and catapult which was going 24 X 7 during flight operations You’d hear the catapult get louder and louder as it traveled across the deck. I never managed to sleep through that

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