cyberscriber2world Loc: Harpersville Alabama

Bear with me here. (I know you will). Havn't posted in over a year. Hope to do more regularly. Right now I'm involved with rescanning about 30 thousand film transparency in 110/35mm negatives and about 1500 slides that I archive. Since I'm rescanning them at higher resolutions my computer memory is pretty full right now as is my time (through the end of the year, I'm slammed). I've chosen this set of images that I post edited/digital dark roomed/photoshopped utilizing an on line apps called PicsArt. I particularly like the mirror effects utility and the act these files are pretty small without having to reduce them in size tonight. :)

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Very interesting images, cyberscriber2world! What aircraft carrier is that in #1?

cyberscriber2world Loc: Harpersville Alabama

That's a good question Sailormom. The base image was a "official Navy release" photo and they did identify the Carrier but that's been months ago. I do know it is a small Carrier designed for Harriers and STOL/VTOL Osprey type aircraft. It even has a ramp instead of the typical catapult system. It also is a small carrier with a straight deck where your super-carrier class and most modern carriers have a slanted deck/offset deck (not aligned with ships centerline). I've had fun with mirror distorting everything,,,,some more interesting than others. The carriers have been very fun and have made several versions.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Thanks, cyberscriber2world! Our son was on the Bellowood, USNS Comfort,and USS Kennedy.

cyberscriber2world Loc: Harpersville Alabama

Wow. I just read the history of the USS Kennedy. Very distinguished ship, but it had some troubles too. Several collisions, fires and Skippers being removed (twice). I'm from Jacksonville and in 1972 went through enlistment physicals and Military entrance exams to Join the Navy. Growing up my parents belonged to a Sailing Club (The Rudder Yacht Club) just a mile South of the Naval Air Station on the St. Johns River. My Grandfather served in the Navy during WWI as a gunner's mate on the U.S.S. Huntington/Battle Cruiser. Things with the draft and some changes in Navy policy lead me to joining the Air Force in 1973 where I worked mostly in Aviation maintenance. Oh I avoided being drafted into the Army (My daddy was a WWII Army officer who served in Europe and my Mom was in the Philippines with the American Red Cross.) Both my sons went into the Army with one serving in Afghanistan. I moved from Jacksonville in 1995 to Alabama but I still get down there some. My Mom's still living, age 95 in St. Augustine. I served a tour in Charleston S.C. where the Navy had a two bases and my second enlistment was in Ft. Walton Beach Florida, just 40 miles from the Navy's facilities in Pensacola. I've sailed right past the Carrier Lexington while it was underway. I did assignments as an ex-pat in South Korea right on the South China Sea and after 9-11 a year in Saudi Arabia about 55 miles from the Red Sea (Near Jeddah). The Navy and the Ocean have never been far away from me or my heart and I find Naval Aviation fascinating. I was named after my Grandfather (first and middle names) "Etherage Alexander". (Only one in the USA). I actually have my Pops old Navy White Uniform of WWI vintage and plan on donating it to the Navy Aviation Museum in Pensacola. (The 100 year anniversary is next year.) As a "very veteran" old Nam and Cold War service guy, when I read about the JFK's 15 deployments to the Med and Middle East defending the USA in Cold War and Desert Storm I couldn't help but relate. She (the JFK) even did a visit/stop in Beirut Lebanon and strangely enough I was in Beirut briefly myself. I know you are proud of your sons Military Service. (and you have every right to be.) I want to remind everyone who reads this that this Christmas all around the world are Military service members, civilian contractors, diplomats and others far from home serving the interests of the USA. Seeing the world and serving America is great, but it is tough being away from family during the holiday season. Worse still is the fact that in recent years, terrorism and politics has painted a target on the backs of ALL Americans abroad, especially those in the military. Getting a weekly letter from the Embassy, or a weekly military briefing about how "you may be the target of kidnapping or assassination" tends to put a little stress on people (members and dependants). So this "Holiday Season" say a little prayer or just remember those who are in harms way, serving America's interests, far from home. "Far from home" could be 20 States away from Mom and Dad, or at the South Pole supporting Civilian Scientific Research at Mc'murdo Station. Freedom is never free. Have a safe and wonderful Christmas everyone! God Bless a "United" States of America in 2016!

Etherage A Cobb. USN


Etherage A. Ingram USAF


Capt. John B. Ingram US Army (WWII)


Wynnell L. Cobb (1946, ARC)


Pfc Emmitt A. Ingram (U.S. Army 2008)


Private Eric Ingram U.S. Army (2008)

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Thank you for your service! Very interesting reading!