My trip to Cherry Hill!

Sunday 5 August 2012:

What a fun-filled, praise-ful, and blessed Sunday! Though it was a busy Sunday I felt spiritually blessed. At 0730 I awoke. I took my shower, shaved and put on casual clothes. Then I made me a breakfast smoothie and ate some hard boiled eggs for breakfast. Then at 0830 my wife and I left for church. At 0900 I helped lead the kids group. It, too me, was a joy. At 10 AM I practiced my song for church. I sang my solo of, “Above All” today. At 1030 church began and it ended at around 1145 since we had communion today. I was not 100 percent up to par, but managed to sing the song quite well. I was leaning on my walking stick the entire time, not thinking about my equilibrium imbalance. I just sang from the heart. After the service I was supposed to get my photo taken with the kids, but could not find Bonnie to do it. It would have been nice, but there will be other times. At just after noon my wife and I arrived home.

The rest of the Sunday I just listened to my music and napped off and on.

I was pretty tired.

Monday 6 August 2012:

Today was another busy in house field day. I field dayed the bar area, rec room, and laundry room. Dusted and vacuumed. That was the jest of the day.

Tuesday 7 August 2012:

Today I did not go to the YMCA. I had to relax today. I am focusing on my trip to New Jersey to see the USS New Jersey. I cannot wait to go. It has been over 20 years, since I left the ship. I served on her from 1985 to 1990. Five long years!

Wednesday 8 August 2012:

Today was a day of packing, organizing, and cleaning. This morning I did not get up until 1030. I checked my email and facebook. I wrote my final quote for a few days. Then I ate my smoothie, listened to my Christian music, and started to gather my stuff. Ken and I played the wrestling game again. It was late afternoon by the time I packed. I had to end up reorganizing the storage closet. It became a mess when I pulled out a suitcase and everything fell. Ken brought down the red suitcase, which was not in the closet. It figures. I packed up my things then ate dinner. My wife made Sloppy Joes and fries. Ken and I watched the primetime Olympics after dinner. I then decided I wanted to bring my USS New Jersey ball-cap. It was not on the hook by the stairs. I looked above the shelf in the laundry room. My hat was not there nor outside. I ended up finding it after pulling out the shelf. I then had another mess to pick up. What else is new? At 1AM I finally went to sleep. At least I tried I was too worked up and excited for my big trip.

Thursday 9 August 2012:

Today is the day I leave on a plane to go to Philadelphia. I did not get up until 10AM I ate a quick breakfast and gathered my things. My wife, son Ken and I left at for the Chicago Midway Airport at 10:30AM. We arrived there at just before 2PM. She dropped me off and I went through the scrutiny to get to my airport gate. The pat down and scanner like a criminal. Southwest Airlines flight 860 gate E-16. At 2:30PM I was at the gate, at 3PM I boarded the plane first with pre-boarding, and at 3:20PM we were scheduled to take off. Nothing ever can be that simple. We were stuck on the tarmac for 2 hours before take off due to inclement weather. It was not until 5PM until we lifted off. We arrived in Philadelphia Pennsylvania at 8PM local time, but did not arrive at the gate until 9PM local time. At 10:30PM I was finally in a shuttle bus, going through South Central Philly, arriving at the Holiday Inn at just before Midnight.

When I arrived at the hotel I checked into my room, room 224, and stowed my gear. I then went down to the front desk to ask the receptionist where I can get something to eat. I walked across the street in the drizzle to Houlihans. I got me a Burger ’72, Clam Chowder, and a Stella Astros Beer. The Burger’72 is a burger topped with stuffed mushrooms. It was uniquely – good. 

Friday 10 August 2012:

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. Since one this morning it started to pour; storming all through the night. We needed the rain at home. It is dry in Moline. At 4:30 AM the phone rang for the wake-up call. I did not get up. I decided not to go anywhere in the rain. So I rolled over and went back to sleep. At 1PM I woke back up. I missed the fantail reception and prayer, so I decided just to do my own thing. I walked over to Ponzios to get me a 24hour breakfast. Then I took the bus for 1 dollar to go to the

Cherry Hill Mall. I pretty much hung around the mall all day. For dinner I ate at the

Red, White and Blue Pub. I got me a Shrimp Platter, Fries, Coleslaw, and Potato Soup.

At 8PM I hung out in my hotel room and watched the Olympics. Afterwards I dozed off.

Saturday 11 August 2012:

This morning was the busy and filled day I was waiting for. The wakeup call rang at 9AM. This is early for me, since I do not sleep much. I got up, showered, shaved, and headed out for breakfast at Friendly’s. Then I made the mistake of getting on the bus. I ended back at the Cherry Hill Mall. I went over to the internet café and checked my Email. I got back on the bus and ended up back at Friendly’s. I ate lunch. I got me a

Chocolate Frapple, a build your own burger – I got 100 percent beef, on a Kaiser bread, topped with Swiss cheese, bacon, suited mushrooms, 57 sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes; a side of fries and Cole slaw. It was delicious. I ate and then I took a taxi to Camden to see the USS New Jersey BB-62. The taxi driver is Miguel. He gave me half price on the cab rides. He is a nice guy. When we arrived things were not so great. The police were not allowing anyone to go across the bridge; there is a Toby Keith concert in town.

So I had to get out of the cab and walk across. When I got across I saw the ship behind the trees and took a picture of it. I got a golf cart ride to the ship, since I am on disability.

I was happy that it did not cost me anything for the tour since I served onboard. The female security guard called the quarterdeck to tell them, they then escorted me aboard. I was given a private tour by Philip Rowan, but I more like gave him the tour. First we visited my old General Quarters station – the Left Lower Powder Door of Turret Three, then we toured the decks of the ship, going up to the Conning Tower, then back down to the flight deck, and then down to my old berthing – 3^rd Division, to the print shop, brig, and laundry, and back up to the mess decks. I had an awesome tour. It brought back many memories of the gold ole battleship - the USS New Jersey BB-62; the most decorated ship ever in the United States Navy. The motto was: “Firepower for Freedom”!

GO BATTLESHIP!

After the tour Philip gave me a ride back to my hotel. I ended up getting real light headed by then. I security person escorted me up to my room; I took my pills and was fine after awhile. It was just a lot of excitement for one day. I did not know if I was going to make it to the reception at 1830, but I did. I am glad I did go, even though I did not know a single person there. Most of the people there were from the Vietnam era.

There were four main eras of the Battleship New Jersey:

1. World War II 1943-1945
2. Korean War 1950-1957
3. Vietnam War 1968-1969
4. Lebanon 1982-1991

I served on her during the Lebanon era from 1985 to 1990.

At the reception we had a choice of fish – stuffed flounder with white wine sauce; chicken – Chicken Sonoma: chicken stuffed with artichoke hearts, spinach, and feta cheese; or beef – Prime Rib with mushrooms and horseradish sauce.

I chose the Chicken Sonoma. It was delicious!

After we ate there was music from a DJ and dancing. We all got our different era group photos taken, and then there was an awards ceremony. I got my award for the youngest battleship sailor there. It was fun!

At Midnight I left the reception and headed back to my hotel room. I walked back, because it was faster than taking a bus. It was only three blocks away anyway. I hit the bed hard and fell asleep. What a fun – filled; exciting day!

Sunday 12 August 2012:

It is Sunday and it is time to head back to Moline Illinois! I set my wakeup call for 10AM. I went downstairs to the hotel restaurant and got Eggs Benedict, home fried potatoes, wheat toast, jam, fruit, and orange juice for breakfast. I called for room service, but the lady did not know what Eggs Benedict were. It was on the menu. So I went down stairs to make sure the order was right. Then I went up to my room and made sure everything was packed up and I did not forget anything. At 11:30 AM I checked out.

At 11:45 AM the airport shuttle arrived. It was not until 1 PM until I arrived at the airport. I went through the scrutiny again through airport security and walked up toward my gate E-16 for Southwest flight #566 at 5:40 PM. This means I was stuck in the airport for the majority of the day. After I arrived toward the gate area I bought me some Japanese food from the Mako Café. Then I bought me some game puzzle books to play as I was waiting. I killed a lot of time doing some puzzles. At 3 PM I walked around a bit to stretch my legs. When I went back to the gate I saw a fellow Navy veteran. He had a Navy Vietnam war ball cap on. I chatted with him for awhile. Then I read the Time magazine I bought. At 4 PM I got me a big mac at McDonalds. At 5 PM I boarded the plane with early boarding. The plane actually left on time and arrived on time at

Chicago Midway. On the flight I just read my Revolutions for Men. I drank my

Ginger Ale and ate my small bag of peanuts I was given. That was it, another boring flight with Southwest. No, in-flight movies nor music; or dinner served.

Anyway, at 7:20 PM I arrived in Chicago Midway Airport. I walked toward the pickup lot and called my wife on my cell phone. She was still 15 minutes away. So I went out and sat on the bench and waited. I chatted with the college girl, who is studying journalism, while waiting. Finally my wife arrived with Ken. I was hoping Tim would be with as well to help drive, but not. It took over three hours to drive home. We stopped at LaSalle to use the facilities. But the drive home took longer than anticipated due to stormy rain. I was hoping to stop and wait it out, but no place to pull over. At 11 PM we arrived in Moline. We went through the drive through at Taco Bell for a late night snack. I bought me a new black bean burrito and a chalupa supreme. Then I went home and though frustrated and exhausted from the long trip home, I had to unpack all of my dirty laundry from the bag. I threw a load in the washer and ran the cycle. Then I ate my food. At Midnight I dosed off while watching the Olympic Closing Ceremony from my DVR.

Monday 13 August 2012:

Today is usually in house field day. But my wife and I did not awake until late. I was not up to par to do too much. So I slept in until 1 PM. Afterwards I put my stuff up from the suitcase and then I laid around all day not doing too much.