BZ to Bob Zvacek (24th Company) for organizing another amazing Florida Comearound. The 88 attendees, including 45 Classmates, 25 wives, 15 widows and significant others greatly appreciated the chance to visit, enjoy the warm breezes from the St. Johns River and visit with a variety of land- and water-based activities.

That evening, ’66 Comearounders savored a delicious happy hour and dinner at the Chart House, an architectural gem perched on the banks of the river within walking distance to the hotel. The Lone Sailor Statue is the halfway point in the riverside amble. Bonus dinner guests included the CO and XO of the USS CARNEY (DDG 64) who were able to join the 66ers for dinner that evening, a great introduction to the next day’s tour.

A true highlight of the Comearound was the opportunity to tour the USS CARNEY, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missle destroyer homeported at Naval Station Mayport.

The ship is named after Classmate Joe Taussig’s (30th Company) grandfather, Admiral Robert Bostwick Carney, a highly decorated U.S. Navy officer who served as Chief of Naval Operations under President Eisenhower. Admiral Carney’s daughter (Joe’s mother), Betty Taussig, sponsored and christened the ship in 1994.

Bob Z remarked on the amazing crew who almost literally rolled out the red carpet ensuring all in attendance had a great tour culminating in a visit to the pilot house!

After the tour of the illustrious CARNEY, everyone boarded another vessel, a water taxi, for a sunset tour of Jacksonville complete with “Navy Grog.” The sunset cruisers were treated to a glimpse of USS ORLECK (DD-886), a Gearing-class destroyer preserved as a museum ship on the downtown riverfront. Additionally, the eponymous boat dog, “Drifter”, made friends in every aisle.