*** A CHRISTMAS WISH AND FUTURE THOUGHT ***

As president of the USS America Museum Foundation, I would like to wish everyone a Safe, Happy and most of all Healthy Christmas, New Years and Joyous Holiday Season.

As 2011 is closing, and 2012 is upon us, those of us who served on board USS America in 1972, remember the 24 hour, around the clock Christmas bombing of North Vietnam and especially Hanoi.

I in particular remember that Christmas Eve. The hanger deck was filled with aircraft already fueled, armed, for safety reasons guarded by our Marine Detachment, and awaiting to be brought back up top side for their turn in rotation for takeoff. All the while other aircraft where taking off, returning aircraft was landing, refueling, rearming, as mid-night mass was being conducted on the foc’sle.

I remember and still have that very odd feeling in my gut, knowing religious services were being conducted while people were being killed.

The bombings were necessary and instrumental in bringing the North Vietnamese back to Paris to resume PEACE TALKS.

January 28, 1973, an announcement was made over the ships 1MC, “The truce has been signed. The Vietnam War is over.” Those of us who where there remember that day.

All sides signed an agreement and a Cease Fire was finally declared, ending all hostilities and putting an end to the War.

On December 24, 2012, is the 40 year anniversary of that night. I will make the pilgrimage to Washington, DC to visit the VIETNAM WALL, at midnight.

Personally, I want to visit and reflect on all of our ship mates who did not come back home with us. This does not just include the 1972 - 73 deployment to South East Asia, but all three, 1968 and 1970.

I also want to reflect and spend time with the spirits of all the men and women who gave up everything, during that long war.

If anyone is interested and would like to join me, I would look forward to and welcome your company.

Please contact me at mcnultyl@juno.com.

As always, I thank you all.
Most respectfully,
Lee E. McNulty