Veterans Day 2013 on the USS Iowa - Almost...

Saturday November 9, 2013 - San Pedro, CA - Picked up my long time friend Marty in Lomita and headed back to San Pedro about 11:00 AM to check out the Veterans Appreciation Day festivities at the USS Iowa. Marty had never been on the big battleship that was opened to the public back in December 2011. Just two 63 year boys headed out for a day of fun.

It was a beautiful warm sunny morning when we arrived at the dock and found ample parking right next to the event. Our local politicians along with other dignitaries welcomed everyone. Afterwards the live band pumped out the music.

We were enjoying the scenery and looking forward to boarding the ship to give Marty a real up close view of the guns from the fantail. We ground to a halt at the bottom of the long gangway where we asked the security officer for "permission to board."

We were told, along with another couple, that the Iowa was not ADA compliant.  Marty you see lost both his legs to illness a few years ago and is confined to a wheel chair.

The security officer went on to explain that wheel chairs could not be allowed on board due to security concerns.  In all fairness to the officer I think he meant to say "safety" concerns not "security concerns." Marty and I were certainly no threat to security.

A radio call was made to a superior who showed up pretty quickly and confirmed that we would not be allowed to board. Considering what I'd read about the Iowa I was pretty amazed that we couldn't at least be allowed to view the main deck. After all, FDR had been able to sail aboard the ship. Almost like his own "Love Boat."

Wikipedia -  During World War II, she [USS Iowa] carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic to Mers El Kébir, Algeria, en route to a crucial 1943 meeting in Tehran with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin. She [USS Iowa] has a bathtub — an amenity installed for Roosevelt, along with an elevator to shuttle him between decks.


While I'd been fortunate enough to go aboard the USS Missouri with my family a few years ago in Long Beach (the Missouri is one of the Iowa's sister ships and is now docked in Pearl Harbor, HI) Marty had not yet had the opportunity to see one of these ships up close.

Well, we made the best of things and headed up to San Pedro Brewing Co. for lunch.  Marty was ok with our day out but just couldn't understand the concept of a Veterans event that couldn't accommodate wheel chairs.  He thinks the two are synonymous - wheel chairs/veterans  - veterans/wheel chairs.

As I now read the fine print on the USS Iowa's website at pacificbattleship.com, I must confess that I missed the part where it clearly states::

ACCESSIBILITY

USS IOWA is not currently ADA accessible. However, accessibility for disabled guests will be improved over the next year.

There are many obstacles on the ship such as uneven decking, high door frames and many sets of stairs that are safety hazards. For that reason, no wheelchairs are allowed aboard the ship and those using canes and walkers should use extra caution.


Maybe someday...

Views: 247

Comment

You need to be a member of San Pedro News Pilot to add comments!

Join San Pedro News Pilot

San Pedro News Pilot by email - sign up!

Delivered by FeedBurner

What is the SanPedroNewsPilot.com?

The SanPedroNewsPilot.com is the social network and information outlet for San Pedro.

Want to keep up with the news in San Pedro, become a member.


 

Membership has its privileges!

• Got news you think everyone should know? Blog it.
• Have a show or attending a benefit? Put it on the calendar.
• Got video of the big game? Embed it.
• Photos of the new storefront or the school play? Upload them.

Latest Activity

Mistah Wilson updated their profile
Feb 4
Vincie Sutrin promoted Jamaal Kellen Street's blog post San Pedro High Flag Football 2023 Shines In Inaugural Year
Dec 31, 2023
Vincie Sutrin promoted Jamaal Kellen Street's blog post San Pedro High Flag Football 2023 Shines In Inaugural Year
Dec 31, 2023

Sports Editor
Jamaal Kellen Street promoted Jamaal Kellen Street's blog post San Pedro High Flag Football 2023 Shines In Inaugural Year
Dec 31, 2023

Sports Editor
Jamaal Kellen Street posted a blog post

San Pedro High Flag Football 2023 Shines In Inaugural Year

When a new high school sports program begins, normally it takes time to build a winner from the ground up.For San Pedro High flag football however, they didn't waste time in its inaugural season.Not wanting to settle for just being one of the 54 CIF-Los Angeles City Section schools to take in this brand-new environment, San Pedro immediately looked to hire a man well…See More
Dec 31, 2023
Mistah Wilson posted a blog post

The Jewish Community Weaponized Hip Hop Against Black People

Is it not yet painfully obvious that the so-called European Jewish community has profited off of the destruction of African American families all across the world?Are we really going to take the stance that conscious Hip Hop wouldn't have sold records? Whole fan bases have been ousted over the special interests of the Jewish community. Lyor Cohen, a so-called Jewish…See More
Nov 23, 2023

Sports Editor
Jamaal Kellen Street promoted Jamaal Kellen Street's blog post 2022-2023 San Pedro Prep Sports Team Of The Year
Oct 3, 2023
Mistah Wilson posted a blog post

Soul The Interrogator talks Hip Hop Histories & His New Album "Ol' Head" (Exclusive Interview)

Seattle rapper Soul The Interrogator talks General Background, TakeOver Music Collective, & His Latest Album Ol' Head in an exclusive interview w/ Mistah Wilson for tha Seattle Music Scene...See More
Sep 11, 2023

© 2024   Created by San Pedro News Pilot.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service