Today I created another link to help new users join the site. At the center of our heading, just click the Yorktown seal and it will take you to the site to join. What's the advantage of being a member of the site? Well, it allows you to post and upload photographs if you desire. You can be notified of postings by using your e-mail program is another good reason for joining the site. No need to keep checking back on the site, just use RSS feeds on the site and you will be automatically notified when the site or your special interest is updated. You can subscribe to a specific article that might be in progress and updated. Again, thanks for keeping the site going with donations and continued support.

Mark Watts

It's been an interesting conversation with Mark Watts. He is just another example of the type of sailors that roamed the decks of Yorktown. Always willing to give of themselves for the betterment of the crew and memory of Yorktown.

Mark wrote that he first became acquainted with Nick and Mary when his father was stationed at Fort Eutis in the summer of 1970. It was the first time they visited Nick's Seafood Restaurant and they immediately fell in love with Nick and the great sea food he served. He said, "Until my dying days, I will always believe it was the best seafood ever."

In 1988 Mark's parents came on board the Yorktown for a dependants cruise, and of course, Nick's was on top of the list for dining with the family. That first night Mark and his parents dined at Nick's. When his father was checking out and paying the bill you might guess what Ms. Mary did for the family. Yep, like so many other sailors from the Yorktown, she refused to accept their payment. In fact, much to Mark's father's insistence, Ms. Mary refused to accept payment during their stay the second night. How many times have sailors from Yorktown experienced the complete unselfish love Ms. Mary demonstrated time and time again for Yorktown families. Mark said his Christmas tape has lots of footage about Mary and some day I hope to have that on the site.

Mark mentioned that he would like to see our Yorktown berthed alongside Yorktown CV10. That would be wonderful and a huge undertaking. Not to forget the political clout that would be needed to keep her alive tied next to CV10. You never know, that could happen. As time passes, perhaps CG48 could find a home in Charleston. If you are looking for a great site about CV 10, check out Patriots Point. It's a great site with lots of Flash and interaction.

Although Mark was unable to attend the decommissioning ceremony last December he remarked that he is definitely excited about the next reunion. I believe he has lots to add to the Yorktown story. There are thousands of stories from Yorktown sailors and it's a keyboard stroke away. Send e-mail to me and I will make sure it gets posted.

Now, for some more good news. Richard Daigle honored the website tonight with a wonderful donation to keep things rolling. I look forward to hearing more about what Richard is doing today and what Yorktown adventure he might share on the site.

A BZ to all of you that have shared your donations and many others that have taken time to visit the CG48 website! Captain Rick Easton recently wrote that he enjoyed visiting the site and really appreciated the work put into the ceremony last December.

My good shipmate friend, Mike Hirsch, deserves a lot of credit for pulling us together in Pascougla. My heart is yearning for another reunion and I hope it is soon. Here's wishing smooth sailing for all of you.

If you take a glance to the right of the website, I have created two links that you can use to keep up with the Yorktown site. I use RSS news feeds on my favorite sites and it keeps me posted when new information is uploaded.

If you use Yahoo! then the link will give you a choice if you want to add Yorktown to your site news feeds.

Any questions about how to use RSS news feeds this site gives some excellent information: Fagan Finder.

Naturally, you can always Google RSS and find tons of sites explaining the use and future of RSS on the internet. Many  writers of technical advances on the web, say that RSS is making waves in the world wide web. Keeping up with avalanches of information on the internet is at times daunting.

I find it a big time saver and nothing is more a thief of time than computers. So, any edge to stay close to my favorite site is an advantage. Hope it helps you manage your time. Thanks for taking the time to visit the Yorktown site.

Mark Watts
GMM2 (SW)
USS Yorktown CG-48  1988 1989

Thanks to Mark's very generous donation and uploading his photographs for Yorktown crew members to enjoy.

Mark wrote and said he has more than 500 photographs. I wrote back and said, bring them on and I will upload the historical images. Truly historical, now that she is not on active duty today.

He added that he had tons of memorabilia from the ship and expressed a desire to see items available today. I will get busy building a store for purchases of Yorktown collectibles.

Mark just e-mailed me and said he had some videos. He owns some videos of the ramming incident with the Soviet Union and a Christmas party by Norfolk television crews. I asked him to send them to me and I would upload the movies to the website.

Stay in touch for more photographs and information about the Yorktown activities. One day we will have to decide when we hold the next reunion. Any ideas, let me know and I will do my best to arrange it for the website. Smooth sailing for now to all Yorktown sailors. Thanks Mark!

OI Division, from left, Marty Martinez, Pat Joy, Brian Dean, Dan Persse, Jim Limric, David Black, Jim Mauhler, and Mike Zimmerman.



After the ceremony, OI Division took one last tour of the ship. It was filled with many memories and a some final poses and  smiles on the bridge.

It was hard to describe how one felt. This was it. She was going to be hauled back to the fleet in Philadelphia and it was sad. The Yorktown we remembered was full of life, high spirits and great adventures to come.

She was quiet this day and the vacant spaces were indeed filled with just our memories of the past. I am sure each of us were thinking our own private thoughts of how another chapter of our own lives was closing this day.

One thing is for sure, we will never forget the Yorktown and the crews that served her well during a prestigious and honorable career.

Jim Hutchinson gave a copy of his CD with photographs and scans of Yorktown memorabilia while at the de-commissioning weekend ceremony.
Unfortunately, like I explain in the album on the site, I don't know the names of everyone in the photograph. So, if you know who is in the photographs, e-mail me the name and I will change the album captions.