Courtesy Photo | Petty Officer 3rd Class Angela Eads assists Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter of namesake...... read more read more
USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea — Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and chief executive officer of People to People International, visited with crew members aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike), April 12.
Eisenhower was en route to the 5th Fleet area of operation in support of Operation Iraqi Children and thought it would be nice to pay a visit to the ship named after her grandfather, she said.
"Operation Iraqi Children is a program where school supplies are sent to the kids of war torn areas with a military presence," said Eisenhower. "We send the supplies to the ground troops and they deliver them to the children, creating a bond between Soldiers and locals. American Airlines just delivered a record shipment of 22,000 pounds of school supplies. We decided to visit the Eisenhower along the way. We're really thrilled to be here."
While aboard, Eisenhower mingled with crew members and spoke to personnel in the hangar bay during a ceremony about safeguarding the Eisenhower legacy.
"Ms. Eisenhower talked about the effects of the Cold War and how we shouldn't judge others until you sit down and get to know them," said Chief Petty Officer Jason Kjos, safety department's leading chief petty officer. "She also talked about the relationship she had with her grandfather, and how he was a down to earth person just like us."
This was Eisenhower's second visit to the ship, and she said the spirit of Ike remains the same.
"I was much younger then and I was contemplating whether or not I should walk up and down the stairs in stilettos," joked Eisenhower. "The faces have changed but the spirit's very much the same. It's always been a very positive atmosphere. You can just feel the camaraderie, patriotism and the mission at work that you feel it in your heart."
During her stay, Eisenhower visited the aft bake shop and baked her grandmother's famous Mamie Eisenhower's sugar cookies with Ike's culinary specialists.
"Doing this was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I couldn't have done anywhere else but here," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Angela Eads of supply department, S-2 division, the aft bake shop supervisor, who helped assist Eisenhower make and bake the cookies.
Seaman Apprentice Stephen Robertson of S-2 said he felt privileged to get to experience this historical moment with his fellow shipmates.
"I was honored that President Dwight D. Eisenhower's granddaughter took time out of her busy schedule to come visit us and thank us for our service," said Robertson.
Eisenhower said that being aboard the ship this time was an unforgettable experience, because she had the opportunity to talk to Sailors one on one.
"I feel like I have a new family," said Eisenhower. "There are no words to describe how much I appreciate everything. I hope Sailors know that while some of the work done may not be as visible as other portions, it all is integral and extremely important. Today the military is a voluntary choice opposed to when I was growing up, making it mean so much more because every individual I get to spend time with here has signed a dotted line saying they'll die for me and that makes them a hero."
The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime operations and operate in international waters across the globe.
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.19.2009 03:16 |
| Story ID: | 32558 |
| Location: | ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 316 |
| Downloads: | 265 |
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