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Slipdigit - USS Kidd - Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Discussion in 'WW2 Forums/Forces Postal Service' started by Otto, Feb 10, 2018.

  1. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Username: Slipdigit
    Postmark: 5 February 2018
    From: USS Kidd - 305 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

    Slipdigit continues his world travels with an impressive message from the USS Kidd in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He can also count himself as the first Rogue to send a message to our new Texas-based WW2F/FPS bunker.

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    Remember to check the WW2 Forums/Forces Postal Service Map for a look at our growing list of all WW2F/FPS submissions.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2019
    Otto, Feb 10, 2018
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  2. USMCPrice

    USMCPrice Idiot at Large

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    I love visiting the Kidd, it's the best restored destroyer and the only one in the original WWII configuration. Been numerous times.
     
    USMCPrice, Feb 12, 2018
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  3. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I've been combing the USA Kidd website since I got the card from Slipdigit. She's a beauty, and now that I live much closer, visiting her is a realistic option.
     
    Otto, Feb 12, 2018
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  4. Half Track

    Half Track Well-Known Member

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    Very interesting. You who live close enough to visit her are very fortunate. I ordered this picture of the USS Kidd from a magazine and have it on my garage wall. She is being struck by a kamikaze here.

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    Half Track, Feb 12, 2018
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  5. USMCPrice

    USMCPrice Idiot at Large

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    You can also hit the USS Texas, the last US dreadnought. She's seen better days but it's still cool to visit her. You could also hit the WWII Museum in Nawlin's. The USS Lexington is in Corpus Christi, Texas. I haven't visited her but next time I go to Baton, Rouge I may plan to swoop over and check her out. Otto, you have to do the Riverwalk in San Antonio, great place. Used to go there all the time when I was stationed at Ft. Sam, I've taken the wife back several times and she loves it too. It's only about four hours from you. (Texas is like REALLY big). Pensacola is like 9 and a half from you. You need to do the Naval Aviation museum there and you'll have to pass Mobile and can hit the USS Alabama there, really nice ship.

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    USMCPrice, Feb 12, 2018
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  6. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    JJWilson, Feb 12, 2018
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  7. Half Track

    Half Track Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that, very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
     
    Half Track, Feb 12, 2018
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  8. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    I saw it a few months back, and when I saw this thread I was reminded of it, I thought it was pretty great too, glad you liked it half track.
     
    JJWilson, Feb 12, 2018
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  9. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    We stopped and talked to the attendant when we finished the tour. There will be a movie filmed on it starting later this spring, starring Tom Hanks. He said it would about the North Atlantic convoys. They had painted over parts of the ship, taking off things like the Jolly Roger off of the forward stack.

    Life aboard had to be miserable at best for the enlisted crew-cramped, tight, and always bumping into things. I am not a tall man (a smudge under 6 ft), but I hit my head several times just walking around the compartments and up and down the scuttle holes. We counted 4 showers for the junior enlisted crew of around 300. The heads were not many in number, either. Can only imagine how hard it was if a bout of the green apple quickstep hit the crew hard.

    Not all of the ship is open. The engine and boiler rooms are locked, as are the lower decks. You can only go as high as the bridge; the upper decks of the superstructure are closed, as is the pilot house.

    She is 70+ years old and parts of her look it. She sits on a cradle that holds the ship in place when the river level drops. When we were there, she was high and dry, which is the norm for winter months.

    I'll prolly tour her next year again when I go back to Mardi Gras. Good trip but I rushed a bit through her and the museum.

    All things said, she is a beauty.

    Grofaz, you have no real, viable excuse to miss the party next year. I think you are closer to Red Stick than I am. I have daughters that might be enticed into doing some baby sitting. Bobby also has some family there abouts. I'm sure they will limit the liquor to your young uns to one or two.
     
    Slipdigit, Feb 12, 2018
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  10. A-58

    A-58 Cool Dude

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    Sounds like a road trip in the making to me!

     
    A-58, Feb 15, 2018
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  11. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Small update to the opening post as I've replaced the photos with scanned images of the postcard.
     
    Otto, Aug 28, 2019
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  12. A-58

    A-58 Cool Dude

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    As Jeff says, you have to make up excuses to not make the short 8 hour road trek to Red Stick (Baton Rouge in Anglais), or a quick one hour flight from DFW. That might be a better option. Probably cheaper than gas and there’s absolutely no need for wheels after you check into the hotel. Make it happen dude! And the same for any of you Rogues out there too. I’m talking about you to USMCPrice. The Krewe of Orion Experience is the weekend of February 15, 2020, so check yer schedules and pencil it in!
     
    A-58, Aug 29, 2019
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