The FReeper Foxhole - SAM and Snippy Tour the USS Tarawa LHA-1 & meet bkwells - Sept. 5th, 2003

[radu]

We hated to keep it a "secret" but we didn't want to take any chances with fate! LOL.

I don't know how you did it! This kind of "secret" must have been sooooo hard to keep. You must have been climbing the walls, no....the ceilings, with anticipation. ROTFLOL!

[SAMWolf]

The pleasure was all mine Snippy and I wouldn't have missed this for the world. We managed to oversome the obstacles in the way of our going together and I can't express how much I appreciate all your help in making this come true.

Snippy and SAM hard at work preparing today's thread. before leaving for Oregon :-)

[SAMWolf]

Good Evening Brian. Thanks for stopping by. You should have seen and heard Snippy after dinner. You all really touched her with the presentation of the flag. And the goodbyes after dinner where so hard for her.

The pleasure of meeting all of you was mine. You have a great Division and it was an honor for Snippy and I to meet you and visit your ship.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks feather, it's another event that I have in my memory. Before I left I put a special picture of Roger (my best friend) in my wallet. He served on the Wasp and was a sailor through and through. I felt like he was with me while I walked the decks of the TARAWA. It was a good feeling.

[SAMWolf]

Oh we were, as the day got closer we dropped some hints without giving away too much. I can't tell you how tempted both Snippy and I wanted to say something about being invited to visit the Tarawa. As the day got closer the temptation got stronger, but we kept telling each other that we couldn't say anything. Man we wanted to just shout it out. Thia was such an honor for me and I am so glad Snippy asked me if I wanted to go.

[radu]

The OA Division - USS Tawara Honors Snippy

*sniff* I'm tearing up at this one. It must have been overwhelming emotionally to have this flag presented. What a sweet thing these fine folks did! Thanks for sharing this special moment with us.

I love this group shot.

What a great looking group of folks!

Any guy who likes "Death By Chok-lit" cake is A-OK by me!
*giggle*.....James and I would either get along fabulously or fight like cats and dogs......over the cake, that is. LOL!

[SAMWolf]

Becca and Yyvonne working in the OA Office. They are in the process of removing most of the equipment and workspaces from the are in prepearation for upgrading and replacement.

Another shot of the OA office as Tom explains their duties

One of the few pieces of electronics not yet removed from the OA Office.

[SAMWolf]

James is the second person behind Snippy. His appetite has to be famous among the Division. He got enough ribbing about it.

[SAMWolf]

View of the Air Traffic Control Bridge on the side of the Island.

View of the Bow from the Captain's Bridge, that'ts the CG LAKE CHAMPLAIN right in front of the TARAWA and the DDG ELLIOT to the left.

[radu]

I can't even begin to tell you how much of an honor this was for Snippy and myself.

I can only imagine and I know I don't come close.

You couldn't ask to met a finer group of American men and women.

This is easy to believe. I thoroughly enjoyed e-mailing the two I was in touch with on the TARAWA. Very fine folks they are. One of them is from right here where I live and I hope to meet him one day soon.

Topside on the Island, I so wished I could uncover and "play" with those 50 cals.

LOL!! Ya mean they didn't have to strap your hands to your sides to keep you from "playing"? My guess is if this had been video instead of a snapshot, we'd see your fingers wiggling with desire. LOL

[Light Speed]

Congrats Sam and Snippy..and well done USS Tarawa.

Was plinking the net on Tarawa's history...alot there...USS Cole too.

Operation Southern Watch was no easy opp either..

Came accross these during research.....for those intersted in USS Tarawa.

The Revell kit is smaller and less detailed than the USS Nassau /700 scale.

USS Nassau & USS Arleigh Burke built from DML kits.
USS Tarawa 24.95 &USS Arleigh Burke 12.95
Diorama built by Mike Taylor in 1/700 scale

[radu]

Yep, y'all had our curiosity up with "hints" about a "project" but I never would have imagined anything as amazing as this. I'm absolutely green with envy!! LOL!!

What a special group of men and women to put this all together. And what an honor to get to meet them. Snippy obviously touched them deeply with her support during their deployment.

And it's so neat that she asked you to go, too. That's what friendship is about....sharing special times.

[radu]

Did the slice of cake make it back to the ship? hehe!
I'm a chok-lit freak but I have yet to eat a whole piece of "Death By Chok-lit" cake in one sitting. But that's ok.....I get double the pleasure out of one slice that way. LOL!

[radu]

Y'all got some fantastic shots while aboard the TARAWA! I've "ooohed" and "aaaahed" at all of them. Thanks sooooo much for sharing these with us today!

[SAMWolf]

That's what friendship is about....sharing special times.

Yep and they don't often come as special as this one. I'm one lucky guy.

[SAMWolf]

We don't know. We hope to hear from James to find out.

[SAMWolf]

You're welcome Radu. Snippy has a lot more, views from the hanger deck, flight deck, bridge, the Well deck and various platforms around the island.

[radu]

We don't know. We hope to hear from James to find out.

Let me know when you do. If that cake didn't make it back to the ship, I'm IMPRESSED!! LOL!!

[radu]

There you go, making me greener than ever. LOL! It must have been such a fascinating experience to tour that ship! I'm looking forward, as I'm sure everyone else is, to seeing more pics!

[PhilDragoo]

The picture above shows one of the two boiler control panels on the USS TARAWA. The controllers regulate fuel feed pumps, water feed pumps, blowers, boiler water level, and boiler pressure. Control systems like the one shown here are regulating the propulsion boilers on all LHA and LHD amphibious assault class ships in the U.S. Navy.

All photos copyright their respective websites.

WELCOME HOME USS TARAWA LHA-1

BRAVO ZULU FREEPER FIRST CLASS BKWELLS