A quote from the Rainier "Familygram" of 2 JAN 1969:
"Although both Christmas and New Year's Day were spent
rearming Seventh Fleet units, festive elements were evident throughout
the ship. Christmas music, skits and a variety of entertainment were
provided on Christmas Eve by SN Vaughn Sandoval, SN Ronald Scott
and others." "In addition, Father Gibney, who was aboard Christmas
week, provided scripture and the sermon for a Protestant Christmas Eve
service, followed by a Catholic Midnight Mass. " A previous
commitment prevented Rainier from seeing Bob Hope's Christmas Show
aboard the USS New Jersey but officers and men did receive a holiday
greeting from actress Ann-Margaret." (The 2 JAN 69 Familygram
was Captain Smith's last- he was relieved by Capt. Sanderson the next
week.) Father Gibney had quite a shock when the forward hatch began to billow white smoke while he was standing on the bridge with the Captain...GQ sounded- and we all turned pale...turned out to be a fire extinguisher that was knocked over while they were breaking out some bombs for that Vesuvius unrep ! We had a lot of prayers working for us that day !
Yes, we WERE disappointed !