Battleship USS New Jersey BB-62 July 5th Recent Photos Page

July 5th Photos Page

Onboard four weeks in a row now, I think I could make the drive from Virginia in my sleep! Today was a scorcher, no rain to worry about, just trying to stay cool was a chore! For some reason or another there weren't very many volunteers onboard today, I guess everyone had big plans for the 4th of July Weekend. I again spent the day working on the weather deck, polishing brass, mostly on the Port side where a slight breeze could be found. The ship was alive with activity all day long getting ready for a big fundraising event held onboard. The ship hosted more than 200 people who were treated to cocktails, dinner, music and the Two Cities/Two States fireworks display over the Delaware River. Tickets for the event started at $250 for individuals, the event raised more than $100,000 for the Battleship New Jersey Memorial and Museum. I was a little disappointed though that for the second year in a row volunteers weren't allowed to be onboard for the 4th of July festivities, while those who paid $250 or more a seat were given the royal treatment. In my opinion every volunteer the ship has is worth more than $250 and what the HPA did amounted to another slap in the face of the volunteers, but that's just one man's opinion. I'm sure if I had wanted to stay onboard for the festivities I could have, but instead I headed back to Virginia about 5:00. The first few photos below are of a bunch of special forces types out on the river playing with their toys, some pretty nice toys too, if I must say so myself! That's it for this trip, hope to see you onboard some Saturday real soon.

July 5th Photo #1