Corpus Christi Texas- July 31, 2009 members from the Civil Air Patrol’s Black Sheep and Crusader Squadrons traveled to Corpus Christi to live on board the USS Lexington for the weekend.

The USS Lexington, tagged “The Blue Ghost” by the Japanese, is one of 24 Essex class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the US Navy.  This ship, the fifth US Navy ship to bear the name Lexington, was named in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of the Lexington.  She was originally to have been named the USS Cabot, but she was renamed while under construction to commemorate the previous USS Lexington (CV-2) lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942.  She is now on display as a museum in Corpus ChristiTexas.

Our first day began around 0300 Friday morning.  We needed to be on the road by 0400 in order to arrive at the Lexington by noon for lunch.  Once on board we had a short briefing by the crew and then were shown to our berthing areas (sleeping quarters).  After settling in to our racks it was off to lunch or “chow” as we called it.  That evening we had a very rare opportunity because we were the only 17 persons on the ship.  We had full access to all the tours and exhibits without the crowds, interruptions, and distractions.  This opportunity was unique and gave us the time to really see, read, feel and experience everything without being rushed through, not all tourists get that opportunity. 

The Lexington’s staff had planned a “Scavenger Hunt” for the Cadets that evening.  The “Scavenger Hunt” was very educational and fun.  We learned the ship’s layout very quickly by understanding the signage/numbering system used by the US Navy.  The Cadets where able to navigate from deck to deck, section to section, forward to aft, and port to starboard using the numbering system stamped on the ship’s bulkheads, hatches, ladders and knee knockers. We found the ship was truly a floating city as we made our way to the barber shop, the dentist’s office, the doctor’s office, the mess halls, the post office, and berthing areas to name a few.

Day one ended as TAPS played on the ships intercom system which we came to know as the “1MC”.  The 1MC is the channel used to address the entire ship by the staff. Other channels where used to address specific areas of the ship such as the flight deck or maybe the engine room.  After TAPS it was lights out and everyone got into there rack for some much needed rest after a very long day.

Day two began as reveille came through the 1MC at 0645. As the sounds of a trumpet shook the sleep from our eyes, we where awaken by our friendly Lexington staff shouting on the 1MC, “Reveille, Reveille, Reveille, wake up you sleepy heads!”  We had a full day planned, so it was time to get started.  Starting with the “Morning Colors”, (raising the flag) followed by chow in the mess hall, followed then by an hour of free time to tour more of the Lexington. 

We had tickets to visit the Corpus Christi History and ScienceMuseum during lunch on day two.  This was a nice three hour tour; it exposed us to not only the history and technology of the area, but also some much needed A/C. On board the Lexington, only the tours and mess areas had A/C. The first week of August in Corpus Christi is hot and very humid. Along with the museum tour, we did what anyone would do when it was that hot: We went for a swim later that afternoon at Corpus’s NorthBeach. The beach was literally below the fan tail (aft or back) of the ship. We could stand on the aft end of the flight deck and watch the cadets splash around and have fun in the warm Gulf of Mexico’s waters. 

After the swim, it was time for evening chow:  Spaghetti and meatballs was on the menu. We were given another rare opportunity that evening after chow.  The Cadets were asked to participate in the ‘Evening Colors’ ceremony. We were asked to present our country's flags, including the first US flag, The Betsy Ross Flag, National Flag, MIA/POW Flag and all of the flags of the US armed forces in front of a crowd of people on the hangar deck (about 300 people). There was something about the ceremony on board a ship where over 250 sailors lost their lives protecting our country in foreign waters that made it extra special. If your Patriotism gauge was not in the red zone that night, you were not American.

A couple of hours after the Evening Colors it was lights out with the playing of TAPS over the 1MC at 2215. Lights out for everyone except Civil Air Patrol, that is.  On this night, CAP would step up to the plate and ask to exclusively take care of “Fire Watch” for the entire ship for the entire night.  Normally, this task would be spread out between every group on the ship with everyone taking a ten or fifteen minute shift walking the ship, looking for fire. On this night, there were over 300 overnight campers on board.  But we wanted to do our duty and stand watch over The Lady Lex and her visitors by ourselves. Selfish, maybe, but this was our way of giving back to the Lady Lex and her crew for the years of continued service and sacrifice she and her crew provides to our country.  

Day three started in the same way as day two, with trumpets and “Reveille, Reveille, Reveille, wake up you sleepy heads!” blaring through the 1MC.  With every cadet and senior member taking a two and a half hour cycle through “Fire Watch” the previous 8 hours, the sleepiness was a bit harder to shake off.  However we had “Morning Colors” this morning and we where not going to be late.  After Morning Colors and chow we had a couple of hours before debarking and beginning the nine-hour drive back to DFW.  When we asked the cadets what they wanted to do for a few hours, it was unanimous; they were going swimming, again.  There was no doubt the heat was taking its toll.

The trip can only be summarized as a GREAT success.  Cadets and Seniors alike left the USS Lexington with more respect, pride, patriotism and historical knowledge then when they arrived.   Not to mention a little more insight to the lifestyles of the US Navy sailors.  Stairs were no longer stairs, they were ladders.  Doors were now hatches, walls were now bulkheads, and floors were now decks. What a great way to spend a weekend.  While other teens are playing video games, eating corn chips and sleeping until noon, Civil Air Patrol Cadets are “Living on Board” one of our countries biggest hero’s, The USS Lexington CV-16 (aka, “The Blue Ghost”, “Lady Lex” or just “Lex” to her friends).

Is the Lexington haunted? Ask any of the Cadets that were there, you might be surprised by what they have to tell you.