Navy Engineman Kenneth Rogers describes a 30-foot wave breaking over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during an encounter with an Atlantic hurricane.
‘That ship can go right through those storms,? said Rogers, 38, a 1986 Brandon High School graduate. Many sailors, including Rogers, say it was ? and arguably still is ? ‘the finest aircraft carrier in the fleet.?
Following more than 20 years in the Navy, Rogers? assessment of the ship should be noted.
After a stint on the 1,088 foot-Nimitz class George Washington during Operation Iraqi Freedom; a nine-month deployment on the USS Saratoga during Desert Storm off the coast of Iraq; duty near Guantanamo Bay Cuba in support of the Haitian migrant camps; and as a member of the first crew on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, Rogers will retire from duty in August.
‘I miss the Navy already,? said Rogers, the son of Kenneth and Joyce Rogers, residing in North Fort Myers, Fla., formerly from Ortonville.
‘I enjoyed the time in the Navy. There’s never a boring minute. You wake up to a new adventure every day.?
Rogers drew his naval aspirations from his grandfather, Russell Benoite, a WWII Navy veteran who, like his grandson Rogers, served as an engineman, on a small 73-foot ‘Mike Boat? or Landing Craft Mechanized, used to deliver heavy equipment to a beach. Benoite was serving in Europe during the Allied invasion on Normandy, France.
‘I had to do an interview with him for a high school project. He accomplished a lot, despite having a rough life which included living in foster homes. He was a good man. I like the fact that he became a better person from the Navy, so that’s why I joined. He taught me a lot of mechanical skills.?
During his years of service and numerous year- long deployments, Rogers had the opportunity to visit several ports throughout the world.
‘Everyone is watching you when you go ashore into other countries. Americans really stand out no matter what we wear.?
‘The Navy and Air Force support is very strong in this war (Iraq),? said Rogers. ‘But the troop support is an endless battle, you never know when it’s a threat to you. Someone can come up to you with a bomb strapped on them. The people on the ships have it made. The Navy is a good stepping stone, but the first four years are tough, the next 16 years you get the hang of it.?
While he loves the Navy, Rogers admits his job has been demanding.
‘My daughter Samantha was born, and for security reasons I was not notified about her birth until two months later,? said Rogers.
‘It’s just part of the job.?
Kenneth resides in Chesapeake, Va. with his wife Cyndi and daughter Rio; Samantha and Timothy Rogers live in Clarkston. He is currently working with a civilian beverage distributor in the Chesapeake area.