Cascade Crew

[JohnnyIROC-Z]

Hey guys. I haven't posted in awhile. Navy's been keeping me pretty busy. SO anyway Finally found out where I"m going now that i'm done here in great lakes. I am going to San Diego to the LHD6 USS Bonhomme Richard IT's going to be great.

[Al Hasse]

San Diego's a great port. Before I retired from the Navy, my boat (USS Ohio) played some war games there with Bonhomme Richard and her battle group. We played the aggressor submarine and had lots of fun doing it. That's a good group you're going to.

[85 T/A WS6]

Thanks for the update, glad your doing OK. Its that at that port where my dad and mom met, he was on the Lexington Enjoy the beach

[JohnnyIROC-Z]

Ya no problem. thanks for the posts I appreciate hearing from you guys!

[Schultzy89GTA]

Glad to hear you made it through boot and school. I went to boot and school in SD - fun place to hang out.

I wonder if Bonhomme Richard is the most used Navy ship name in U.S. Navy history. There have been several. My dad served on CV-63.

Good luck.

-Schultzy

[JohnnyIROC-Z]

THE BONHOMME RICHARD LEGACY
"BONHOMME RICHARD" is French for "Good Man Richard." John Paul Jones gave the famous ship this name in honor of Benjamin Franklin, in reference to his "POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAK."

The Frigate BONHOMME RICHARD
In 1765 a 900-ton merchant vessel, DUC DE DURAS, was built in France for the East India Company for trading between France and the Orient. In nearly ten years, that ship would play a historic role in America's fight for independence.

As the Revolutionary War raged on in the Colonies, the newly founded Continental Congress began gathering a small navy and immediately realized huge privateer successes at cutting down the English war efforts in North America. Those successes prompted the Continental Congress to send Benjamin Franklin as an Ambassador in 1777 to advise the French Court and garner more European support for the American war effort. The King of France obliged in 1779 by donating the DUC DE DURAS to the American cause.

On February 4, 1779, the Continental Congress placed this fleet under the command of the 33 year old, Captain John Paul Jones. Swiftly, Jones refitted the DUC DE DURAS increasing her firepower to 20 guns a side, and renamed her BONHOMME RICHARD. Jones sought an honorable ship's name that would be equally important to America and France.

He chose the Pen Name of Benjamin Franklin, the Ambassador to France, and author of "Poor Richard's Almanak." This early 18th century journal urged common men to seek out roles in the public sphere and shape their own destines. Clearly, his journal helped forge the will that resulted in the American Revolution.

From what I can tell there have been 3 bonhomme richard's at least according to www.lhd6.navy.mil it's website. A frigate during the revolution, CV-31 which was decommed then recommed to CVA-31 and the current LHD. But ya, Boot camp was easy and school was too. But I can't wait to get away from freakin great lakes.

[Schultzy89GTA]

My bad - CVA-31 not 63.

Thanks for the history lesson.

-Schultzy

[JohnnyIROC-Z]

No problem buddy! Hope that didn't come across dickish.... I'm just really excited to go to ship!