Touring the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, TX
We visited the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, TX. What started out as a tourist adventure turned personal and emotional for me (Jacki) pretty quick.
My dad served aboard the USS American in the early 60's. In fact, he was on one of the first deployments of the ship. Growing up, I've heard him tell stories from his years in the Navy. And the skills he learned as an aircraft mechanic on board the USS American provided the training and experience for his profession. He worked as an airline mechanic for American Airlines for 37 years. (I write a little about his influence on me and how I learned my work ethic from him on this blog post: cardeveryone.com/running-a-su....
At any rate, I wasn't on board the USS Lexington for too long before I realized that some of my dad's stories were coming to life in front of me! I started texting back and forth with my dad - asking him questions, sending him pictures, and getting his insights in return. Truth be told, I was emotional throughout the time we spent on the USS Lexington that day. It was a truly wonderful experience and I felt an appreciation for my dad and his service that I previously just took for granted.
All that to say, if you have family that have served in the military, I HIGHLY recommend getting out to a military museum that is closely related to their service. It will bring your family history to life.
Because it was such an incredible experience, we've curated a list of Military Musuems - a State by State guide. I'm sure it's not EVERY military museum in the United States, but I was able to find quite a few in almost every state (there were a few states that I couldn't find a museum that specifically was military.). If I missed anything, my apologies! This really was just an act of love to help others experience what I did when I was on board the Lexington.
Request the Military Museum Guide here: lp.constantcontactpages.com/s...
To learn more about the USS Lexington, click here: usslexington.com/about-the-us...
And to check rates, click here: usslexington.com/visit/hours-... (HINT...there's a coupon that you can click on for a small discount!)
If you'd like to watch our unedited video with Bill, click here: Unedited - Behind the Scenes with Bill at the USS Lexington • Unedited - Behind the ...
Want to know about the USS Lexington's history? We found this great book that lays it out from WWII to today: amzn.to/39XxzxV
Join us on our Texas travels!
#EmptyNest #EmptyNesterLife #TexasTravels
If you purchase through our Amazon links, we do receive a small commission.
Пікірлер: 49
Sunday Rewatch! Happy Fathers Day!
@EmptyNesterLife
29 күн бұрын
Hi Friend!! Happy Father’s Day to you as well 🏖️
After the USS Hornet (CV-8) was sunk at the Battle of Santa Cruz in October of 1942, my father from VS-8 was re-assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-16) in February of 1943. He flew an SBD in Bombing 16 from that time until July of 1944. Bombing Squadron 16 is profiled in the book "Mission Beyond Darkness". (It's a great read by I'm prejudice.) During that battle he struck a IJN carrier with his bomb and was awarded the Navy Cross.
@EmptyNesterLife
5 ай бұрын
Oh wow! Thank you so much for sharing his story. That is so interesting. I am definitely going to check that book out. I am so grateful for your dad‘s service, and for you, sharing his story!
Great video. This has to be the best one I've seen so far. I think most are shooting with potatoes. You convinced my wife and I. Army Infantry vet 2004-2021 OIF 2006-2007 OEF 2009-2010
@EmptyNesterLife
4 ай бұрын
Thank you for your service! And thank you for the feedback. We really appreciate it. 🇺🇸
I served on the Lexington for several months as an EM3, fall of 1972, until she went into dry dock in Boston.
@EmptyNesterLife
9 ай бұрын
That's incredible! Thank you for your service 🇺🇸
Nice video. Thanks to your Dad for his service! Pier 99 next door has good eats! Lexington is always excellent! The flight deck alone is stunning. They had a rodeo there several months ago.
@EmptyNesterLife
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Next time we will have to try Pier 99, too.
I’m fangirling/geeking out bc I love the USS Lexington and went there on my bday and had the best time and also I’m naval aviation geek lol
@EmptyNesterLife
Жыл бұрын
Love it!
USAF 1999-2003 at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. Thanks to your father for his service on this Veterans Day 2022.
@EmptyNesterLife
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your service Christina! 🇺🇸
Thank you! This was a great taste of the museum! I toured the USS Lexington (Corpus Christi) sometime around 1996 and enjoyed it immensely. This was the fifth ship stationed as a museum in Texas I have had the privilege to tour. I've been aboard the battleship USS Texas (San Jacinto), the submarine USS Cavalla (Galveston), the destroyer escort USS Stewart (Galveston), and the tall ship Elissa (Galveston). I proudly served as a field artilleryman in the US Army 1979 - 1983.
@EmptyNesterLife
Жыл бұрын
Wow what a great experience to see all of those! Thank you so much for your service 🙏🇺🇸
We took out pilots on the Lex to qualify to go to the fleet. I loved working on the flight deck.
@EmptyNesterLife
2 жыл бұрын
That's awesome, Art!
Sunk four times huh? Awful healthy for having suffered that. A salute to our Navy and all military veterans. Their contributions must never be diminished or forgotten. This is a magnificent display.
@EmptyNesterLife
3 жыл бұрын
Exactly! That’s why it earned the name Blue Ghost...WWII propaganda radio in Japan key reporting it down, yet it never was! Totally agree...those who serve are our heroes for sure.
Great video! I served on the Eisenhower (CVN 69) from 1980- 83...I worked in AMID... repairing electronics from A6 Intruders and F14 Tomcats...good memories!
@EmptyNesterLife
11 ай бұрын
That’s very cool! Thank you so much for your service 🙏🇺🇸
Love the Lex.
Hello..my Father also served on a aircraft carrier..CV63 USS Kittyhawk..also an aircraft mechanic..God Bless our retired warriors that protected us and other countries from the evils of their time.I thank your Father for his service to our country 🙏
@EmptyNesterLife
Жыл бұрын
That's awesome Rick!! It really is a blessing to have dads who served...please thank your father for his service as well 🇺🇸
@MrOkrick
Жыл бұрын
@@EmptyNesterLifethanks for the comment..my father has unfortunately passed..in 2013. Cigarettes did it..as with so many others..I know both my parents are together though..I'm happy for that..PLEASE THANK YOUR FATHER..FOR ME AND THE REST OF OUR COUNTRY...
@EmptyNesterLife
Жыл бұрын
@@MrOkrick I'm going to see my dad in a couple of days and I will for sure share your comment with him. I'm so sorry for your loss but am glad to know that your parents are together in heaven!
Proudly served in the marine corps for 4 years thank you sir for your service
@EmptyNesterLife
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Gerardo, for your service as well! 🇺🇸
I was stationed on the Lex from 80-84. I plan on making it back sometime next year. I want my kids to go so I can show them where I lived for 4 years.I wrked everywhere on that ship and I could give a hell of a tour. Thanks for sharing your video.
@EmptyNesterLife
Жыл бұрын
That is awesome Chris! Thank you so much for your service and I really hope you do get to take your kids there. I’m sure it would be a very special experience for them.
@rotorheadv8
Жыл бұрын
Did my quals on her in ‘84.
I visited the Lexington in 1997 during a school trip. I loved the experience.
@EmptyNesterLife
2 жыл бұрын
That's so great! I used to love school field trips to museums as a kid. Thanks for sharing with us!
I worked on The Lexington with the VT-9 squadron out of NAS Meridian Miss.
@EmptyNesterLife
2 жыл бұрын
Wow what an experience! Thank you for your service!
I served on the LEX 1968 / 69
@EmptyNesterLife
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your service, Dick! And thank you for letting us know...it's so great to hear about those who served and especially on this carrier.
My son is currently in the Navy! 💙⚓️
@EmptyNesterLife
3 жыл бұрын
That’s awesome! Thank your son for his service on our behalf. Where is he stationed?
You missed the history behind CV-16 being the Second Lexington, the first sinking after mortal damage in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The second Lexington was nearly ready for commissioning when a petition was made to name the ship in honor of the 1st Lexington. The Japanese called it the Blue Ghost because they swore it had been sunk in the Coral Sea but here it was, fighting again, like a Phoenix up from the ashes. They couldn’t believe it.
@EmptyNesterLife
Жыл бұрын
Yes, that's right! There's so much history surrounding this ship...truly fascinating! ⚓
The fact that you Forgot to talk about the F14 Tomcat was kinda disappointing. The Fact that is that its the Original Tomcat used for the First Top gun is sweet when i went all i did was stare in amazement knowing i am standing infront of a Movie star
@EmptyNesterLife
3 ай бұрын
We didn't know! Thank you for letting us know.
My father served aboard the USS America Cv 66
@EmptyNesterLife
25 күн бұрын
Wow my dad did too! I think he served from 64-66. What was your dad’s position? My dad was an aircraft mechanic
@JWGARCIA79
25 күн бұрын
@@EmptyNesterLife the ship was commissioned on the same day my brother was born 1/23/65 he was a aircraft electrician also in charge of calibration
@JWGARCIA79
25 күн бұрын
I think it was in Norfolk, Virginia
Pray 🙏Battleship Texas Sinking