Today My Grandfather Smiles!

My family has a long history of military service from the Gulf War to Korea to Vietnam and several in WW II. From the time I was 7 years old, I can remember detailed stories from my grandfather about his experience in the US Navy. He spent 18 months in the South Pacific on the USS Iowa securing the Marshall Islands, the Phillipines and bombing the shores of Japan. He was in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the peace agreements with Japan.

The USS IOWA has been an integral part of our family. In 1982 my grandfather got a call from a former shipmate and best man, Ray Saindon, saying that they were going to put together a reunion of former USS Iowa veterans. The first would be in Des Moine with only 50 or so in attendance. The reunions grew to several hundred and travelled across the US from Boston to Denver. Our entire family vacations centered around attending this important tradition and learning about the USS Iowa. The stories these heros told are still with me today. Of course they got more interesting as the years progressed and as the adult beverages flowed.

My grandfather was so passionate about the USS Iowa that he had an entire room in our home dedicated to memoribilia about the ship. This had hundreds of pictures, 16" firing primers, uniforms, love letters -- the whold deal. The license plate on his car of course was: USS IOWA.

In 1985 the USS Iowa was recommissioned in Mississippi and the whole family went to participate in the amazing ceremony. Bush Sr. brought the ship to life and because grandpa was a 'plank owner' we got to tour the ship with the Officers. These were some of my grandfathers happiest moments of his life. Sharing his struggles and successes with his grandchildren was something he talked about until the day he passed away.

Several years ago the USS Iowa was transported to the mothball fleet in the Suisun Bay not far from our house. Doug Barton, a friend from work, and I drove to Marin to see this magnificent ship enter the SF Bay under the Golden Gate bridge. I can vividly remember looking down at the decks thinking about how my grandfather felt 60+ years ago. The ship didn't look like I saw it in the 80's but my kids would at least be able to see their great grandfathers ship each time we drove to our home in Camp Sherman.

Today marks a big day in the Clayton family with regard to the status of the USS Iowa. Thanks to my father in law for finding the news. Today my grandfather would be smiling down from heaven thinking -- it doesn't get much better than this. Why? Because the USS Iowa has found a proper home and will be open for the public to see it's amazing power and beauty. This was his dream more than 25 years ago.

You can check out the details on http://www.battleshipiowa.org/ for more details but essentially the Big Stick will be incorporated into a Naval Museum on Mare Island in Vallejo. This location is merely 30 minutes from our house. I can hardly wait until this ship is available for us to visit.

Grandpa would be so happy that his great grandchildren and more can see this important part of our US history and for them to know he was an instrumental part in creating the freedom we have today.

Doyle - your ship has come in!

Love Rich