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The USS Kitty Hawk as she​ sails past a small group of Japanese fishing vessels and heads toward Sagami Bay, Japan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Kitty_Hawk_(CV-63)
The USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) Supercarrier was decommissioned in 2009 after 49 years of service.  Kitty Hawk: 1069 feet long and carried a compliment of 5,624 sailors, mostly in the Pacific Ocean.  The Kitty Hawk was named after the site in North Carolina where the Wright Brothers flew the first airplane.

May 31, 2022, Reunion of USS Kitty Hawk Shipmates

The USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) was towed by the Michele Foss from Washington State, around South America, through the Caribbean, entering the Gulf of Mexico to Brownsville, Texas, on May 31, 2022.  International Shipbreaking Limited, LLC/EMR partnered with Cameron County and The Port of Brownsville, Texas to sponsor a public arrival ceremony in honor of all those who served our country onboard this mighty ship.  A ceremony was held on May 31st at the Cameron County Amphitheater, located inside Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island, Texas. There was an open mic time for veterans to speak about their experiences onboard and a moment of silence for those no longer with us.
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The Kitty Hawk's last night at sea, May 30, 2022.
Dale Ray Thiesen in Brainerd, Minnesota, made a trip to Brownsville, Texas, to see the Kitty Hawk one last time before she is dismantled.  Navy vets and enthusiasts were there for a gathering.  You can contact Dale Ray by email, from this page. He served aboard the Kitty Hawk 1983 to 1987 as part of flight deck operations.  Dale Ray remembers visiting Subic Bay in the Philippines, Pusan in Korea, Perth in Australia, and Singapore in Thailand.  
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1984
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2022

    Send Dale Ray Thiesen an Email

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Photos below are from a Facebook group for CV-63.
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​YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXd7zSm4fhI
YouTube Video of her coming into Brownsville, Texas.  No sound to go with the video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aORSYQx1dqU​
YouTube Kitty Hawk fly-over:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeQKiHteCs0
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Brainerd VFW
​309 South 6th Street

Brainerd, MN  56401
​218-829-6393
Mon-Sat: Noon to 10 pm
Sunday: Noon to 5 pm
& during Vikings Football  
3rd Sun. breakfast 8 to noon
1st Place MN VFW Website 2020, 2021 & 2022
Terms of Use     © on the web since 2015
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  • Home
  • About
    • Food >
      • Monday
      • Tuesday
      • Wednesday
      • Thursday
      • Sunday
    • Post 1647
    • Facility
    • Bingo
    • Sports >
      • Baseball
      • Hockey
      • Mens Softball
      • Womens Softball
    • Youth >
      • Voice of Democracy
      • Patriot's Pen
      • Essay
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      • Coloring
      • Card Making
    • People
    • Press
    • Awards
    • Radio Ads
    • Blog
  • More
    • Calendar
    • Blood Drives
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    • All Vets Memorial
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    • Patriotic Photos
    • Thoughts
    • Apparel
    • Kitty Hawk
    • Web Writing
    • Lest We Forget
  • Events
    • January - April >
      • New Years
      • Midwinter Conference
      • Bean Bag Tournament
      • Pistol Shoot
      • Superbowl
      • Polar Plunge
      • Bataan
      • St. Patricks Day
      • Vietnam Vets Day
      • Vets on the Hill
      • Downtown Golf
      • Turkey Hunt
    • May - August >
      • Trap Shoot
      • Buddy Poppies
      • Freedom Festival
      • Memorial Day Prep
      • MemorialDay
      • Taps
      • State Convention
      • Flag Day
      • Independence Day
      • Veteran Tribute Day
      • County Fair
      • Picnic
    • September - December >
      • Bataan March
      • POW MIA
      • Football
      • Membership Dinner
      • Fall Conference
      • Veterans Week
      • Veterans Day
      • Thanksgiving
      • Decorating
      • Santa
      • Christmas
  • Membership
    • Post Officers
    • Auxiliary >
      • Brainerd Auxiliary
      • Brainerd Officers
      • Auxiliary Benefits
    • Women Veterans
    • Honor Guard
    • Chaplain
    • Apply for Membership
    • Our Post
  • Newsletter
  • News Stories
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