Wharf Rat's Home - A Shipmate Who Never Made it to Sea.

'It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.'

Preserving a piece of US Maritime History - invaluable

The USS Olympia is a cruiser that fought in the Spanish American War in 1898 and has been preserved in Philadelphia. She's a one of a kind ship, a national historic monument, and in danger. She needs approximately $10-15 million in repairs to keep her a viable museum for years to come. If you have the resources, or connections to those resources, please consider helping. (full disclosure - there is no financial benefit to me to ask the question - we need to save this ship for posterity). Please contact me at 612-599-1935 or bdskon@fedex.com if you have additional questions.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

I want this car!

Rear Adm. John E. Jolliffe, vice commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, sits behind the wheel of the Navy Blue Angels Ford Mustang.

DEARBORN, Mich. (July 20, 2011) Rear Adm. John E. Jolliffe, vice commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, sits behind the wheel of the Navy Blue Angels Ford Mustang. The car will be auctioned off at the ESL International Air Show to raise funds for student aviation scholarships. Jolliffe and Sailors from local commands visited the Ford Motor Company corporate headquarters during Detroit Navy Week 2011, one of 21 Navy Weeks being held this year across the country. Navy Weeks are intended to showcase the investment Americans have made in their and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson/Released)