Checked into VA-72 in mid 1967, (an) after B school in Memphis and a short time in the rag (VA-44 if I recall). Assignerd to the Line Shop, of course. "Pappy" Grimsley was line Boss. We left in late summer for a 9 mo. Med Cruise. Left an AN came back an E-5. Figure that out. I couldn' believe how big CVA-42 FDR was when I first saw her. Couldn't Believe how small she was 9 months later. We had the A4- B then. I stayed with the line shop for the entire cruise. I really liked the flight deck action. I saw some neet crazy stuff. I never had more fun druing that Med Cruise than I can remember even through today (2007). To much liberty, not enough money. Naples (2), Barsalona. Velencia, Palma de maljorca. Nice, Canns, Genoa, Taranto, Malta, Corfu, Atens. Bob Hope for Christmas.maybe more? Getting underway from Naples one time the anchor pulled up a communications cable off the bottom. It took several hours to try to free, finally just cut the thing with a torch and said bye,bye.. Took the wife back to Barcelona for 8 days in Aug 2001. It hadn'd change a bit. I couldn't take her to all the places I went, but we had a great time. good food and cheap. I have some pictures form back then I like to post sometime. Any way I'll never forget. Wife got tired of hearing all the war stories I don't get to talk about it much. Don McGuffin, AME 2, 1966-1970