Last modified Wed., March 07, 2007 - 06:36 PM
Originally created Thursday, March 8, 2007

Kennedy Last Underway

JFK Brings Smiles To Kids Hospital

By MC1 William Lovelady, USS John F. Kennedy

More than 700 Sailors aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) conduct a human tribute to honor the ship’s 38 years of distinguished commissioned service while steaming toward Boston for a farewell port visit. Kennedy’s arrival marks its last port of call and will afford Bostonians the opportunity to say goodbye to a ship and crew with whom they have maintained close relations since the ship’s christening in 1967. Kennedy is scheduled to decommission in Mayport on March 23. Photo by MC2 Tommy Gilligan.

A group of Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) visited Children's Hospital Boston and gave ship's command ball caps to 53 young patients Friday morning.

As the group was mustering to leave, RPC Fermin Ancho, trip coordinator, told them, "We are doing this for the kids, to make them honorary shipmates of USS John F. Kennedy. This means a lot to them." The Sailors split into teams and moved through the hospital to distribute the caps, talking to kids and posing with them for souvenir pictures.

Some of the children were quite shy about all the attention, and some just wanted a picture of the Sailors, but all were glad to have a Kennedy cap and a visit.

One of the Sailors, Boatswains' Mate 2nd Class (SW/AW) Devin Daniels said, "It's a wonderful feeling. Anybody who has kids should go. Any day that [illness] could happen to your kids. It means a lot to have someone you don't even know care about your kids."

USS John F. Kennedy was in Boston for its final port visit before being decommissioned at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., March 23.

More than 1000 Sailor man the rails of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) as she makes her transit to her final port call in Boston Mass., after 38 years of diligent service. Photo by MC2 Tommy Gilligan.

Sailors stationed on board USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) begin a 3.2 mile fun run outside the USS Constitution Mar. 3, 2007. The Sailors were participating in a run which would take them on a tour of the city from Old Ironsides and finishing at Big John. Photo by MC2 Lolita Lewis.

Capt. Todd A. Zecchin, commanding officer of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), presents the national ensign to Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg during a Twilight reception. Photo by MC2 William R. Heimbuch