FOLLOW THE VOYAGE - TS KENNEDY

Sunday, January 30, 2011

FTV 1/30/11

Many people have been curious as to what Mayhem in Mayaguez entails. It is held on the second Sunday at Sea as a celebration of our Sea Term so far. During Mayhem in Mayaguez, we have our regular Sunday at Sea cookout however we dust off our inflatable, jousting equipment. This equipment features a large cushion with two giant, three foot wide pedestals to stand on. From here, cadets will try to knock the other off the pedestal with large 'Q-tip' like instruments.

First, each of the four divisions picks one person to represent them, they battle it out and the division that wins gets bragging rights for the rest of Sea Term. We have a main event as well. One sophomore against one of the Chartwells employees will battle it out for the second time. There is also a raffle that happens during this event, each ticket is $5. The prizes are all regimentally appealing; such as inspections off, extra days in port and excused watch/offloading for back in Buzzards Bay.

The prizes are tempting however buying a raffle ticket is not just about the prizes that the buyer might receive, but more of what the buyer gives. The proceeds from the raffle tickets go towards the Wounded Warriors Charity which assists disabled veterans. These funds will help our disabled veterans enjoy a better life as they return home wounded from military operations overseas. Last year, the proceeds from this raffle went to the Haiti Relief Fund.

Questions:

If every person on the ship bought a raffle ticket, how much money can we give to the Wounded Warriors Charity?
When did the Haiti earthquake occur last year?
How many days are between Vera Cruz and Barbados?

Captain's Blog 1/30/11

The Kennedy is heading into Bahia de Mayaquez in Puerto Rico this morning. At 0500 it was so beautiful out: with the sky so clear, it looked as if you could reach up and touch the Southern Cross, Venus and the crescent moon from the starboard bridge wing.

Guest writer today is CDR Steve Kelleher and his report is as follows:

Last night, Saturday January 29th at 2000 was the official weigh-in for the third annual 'Mayhem in Mayaguez' jousting competition. The event, to be located on the Helo deck, will take place tonight. In addition to the weigh in, a charity raffle and auction was held to raise money for disabled veterans. Tickets for the raffle went on sale shortly after the TS Kennedy departed Buzzards Bay.

To the cheers and applause of their divisional shipmates, cadet 4/c 'Mean Jesse Green' of first division, cadet 4/c Kevin 'just call me Grif' Griffin of second division, cadet 3/c Thomas 'The Danger' Dindy of third division and cadet 1/c Kevin 'Filthy McNasty' Ferrazzani of fourth division weighed in for a combined weight of 850 pounds. All four combatants are vying for the title 'Divisional Champion - Cruise 2011'.

Weighing in on the undercard and in the grudge match category was the Cadet Chief Mate Rory O'Donnell versus the Cadet Chief Engineer Andrew Willard, and Cadet Deck Adjutant Michael Gately versus the Cadet Engine Adjutant Jared Horey.

Finally the Super heavyweights: cadet 3/c Stephen 'The Mountain' Moore and cadet 1/c Ron 'The Truth' Varrichione weighed in. These two giants of the Caribbean tipped the scales at a warping 600 pounds.

Regarding the charity raffle and auction, raffle prizes awarded included (among other things) inspections off, extra liberty in port and first off the ship in Barbados and San Juan. The auctioned off items also included inspections off during the spring, first off the ship in port plus 3 friends, extra liberty, TS Kennedy jackets, caps, t-shirts and pens.

The event was well attended by the cadets and there were numerous moments of humor and laughter, especially during the weigh in and auction. The charity raffle and auction combined raised in excess of $4,000 to include many straight donations from the officers and crew.