USS HORNET (CV-12)
SHIP'S LOG:  06022007

 Twenty able-bodied Scouts and Scouters (12 boys and 8 adults) from Troop 259 mustered aboard today, along with about 200 other California Scouts, to join the veteran crew of the USS Hornet for a sample of ship's life aboard an aircraft carrier.  Most of the Troop 259 contingent arrived early this morning to participate in a day of classroom instruction, touring and flight simulation to complete the Aviation Merit Badge.  Reinforcements from our group arrived in time to begin the official Live-Aboard overnight program at 1600 hours.   After an impassioned briefing on rules and boundaries by a grisly but kind-hearted old salt (AKA Navy Chief), all visitors participated in a mandatory fire drill, reinforcing the "Safety First" philosophy on board the ship.  Then came Navy chow in the ship's dining hall, followed by several opportunities to get lost among the ship's passage-ways and to tour the ship from stem to stern before receiving our bunk assignments.   
As promised, the night would not have been complete without ghost stories in the darkened Chain Room.  All finally retired for the night at 2200 hours to await visits from long departed crewmen who had met their fate in battles and storms during the ship's 50-year active history.  For some, it was a restless night in sleeping bay Bravo, bathed in the soft, red glow of emergency lighting.   Slightly after 0-dark:30 the next morning, all were rousted from their bunks by bright lights and noise to make sure Troop 259 was at its duty station, festooned in white hats and rubber gloves in the ship's galley for breakfast detail.  "Cookie" ran the galley like a well-oiled machine.  Nothing got past him and no one was dismissed until "Cookie" said so.       
The on-board experience was greatly enhanced by first-hand stories and recollections from two among the Troop 259 contingent who had lived the life decades earlier:  Robert Fong served aboard the USS Hornet's sister carrier, the USS Boxer, and Daniel Wallingford had served on the USS Hornet itself.  We were glad to have them in the ship's company for the night.   The crew ended the program by mustering all Scouts and Scouters out with certificates and patches in an official ceremony at 0930, leaving ample time to browse through the ship's gift shop and ride the flight simulator several times before heading home to the Sacramento flatlands and looking forward to the next tour of duty aboard the USS Hornet.