


[Found here, here and here. Santa smackdown h/t Gord S.]

[Image found here.]

“It usually took us (Electricians Mates with assistance from the ICmen, Gunners Mates, Bos’n Mates, Quartermasters) three days to rig & test this light display… 10,856 light bulbs total.
This is the award winning display that won us the “Best Large Surface Combatant” award for four out of our six year commissioning during the eighties. (MED Cruise in 87, lost to USS America in 84)
I served aboard from Dec.1983 to June 1989, was involved with each and every one of those displays.”
Martin A. (Marty) Palmiere EMC(SW) USN(ret.)
USS Iowa BB-61 ’83-’89
[Image and comment found here.]

Someone was proud of that lawn decoration, and so was his missus. God bless them, and God bless the Polaroid camera for preserving it for all to enjoy decades later.
[Found here.]

[Image found here.]