Stewie Hues Media

One April afternoon I was asked, “Would you like to go on an aircraft carrrier?” I paused for a moment, not to make a decision but to think of what an opportunity it would be. “Of course,” I replied. I was set to go on Tiger Cruise 2010 aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower CVN-69.

It was a hot July evening I boarded a charter bus to Mayport, FL. I was on one of four buses with others to board the IKE. We arrived the next morning, waiting for the ship. It was filled with anticipation. Several of the other Tigers were family members and friends. I was there waiting for my friend Petty Officer First Class Josh Sandwell.

After hours of waiting we can see the ship coming into port. I was bigger than life itself. There was a Navy band playing there were a lot of teary eye folks watching the ship come to port. Sailors and officers begin to debark the ship. After about an hour of waiting I met Josh and we boarded the ship. We embarked through the hangar bay. I was in awe.

More to come later…