The morning sun broke over South Padre Island, casting a golden glow on the Gulf waters. It was an early start—9 AM sharp—as we arrived at the beach once again, this time with Mark and Cindy by our side. The air was electric with anticipation. Today was different. Today, we would witness history.
Just beyond the jetties, the USS John F. Kennedy loomed in the distance, making her final voyage to the Port of Brownsville. A giant among ships, she had once ruled the seas, a force of protection and power, an aircraft carrier that had served her country with distinction for more than four decades. But now, she was on her last journey—not to war, not to defend, but to retire, to be scrapped, to fade into the past while those who served upon her carried her legacy forward.
Thousands had gathered along the shores to witness the moment. Families of former sailors held banners honoring their loved ones, their faces filled with pride and reflection. Some had served aboard the USS JFK decades ago; others were there to pay respects to those who had. A sea of people stood together in quiet reverence, their eyes locked on the massive silhouette moving toward the harbor.And then, the music began.
From a speaker somewhere in the crowd, the deep, resonant voice of Jimmy Dean filled the air, singing Big Bad John. The song, an anthem of strength and resilience, was fitting for the moment. As the ship drew closer, I’m Proud to Be an American followed, and then God Bless America—the patriotic melodies washing over the thousands gathered, evoking emotions too deep for words.
We stood in awe, feeling the weight of history in front of us. The JFK had carried thousands of men over the years, across the seas and through the storms, a floating city of warriors who had given their all in service to their country. She had been deployed during the Cold War, responded to conflicts in the Middle East, and remained a pillar of naval strength until her decommissioning in 2007. Today, she passed before us one last time, her steel frame weathered but still proud.
Mark and Cindy stood beside us, silent, taking it all in. We walked down to the jetties entrance, where the procession had begun, watching the ship’s final approach. The cameras clicked—photos of the ship, the banners, the men who had once called her home. Some of those veterans stood proudly in the crowd, their eyes misty as they saluted the vessel that had been their guardian on the seas.
For hours, we watched, we remembered, we honored. And though her final destination was a scrapyard, the USS John F. Kennedy would never truly be gone. The men who served aboard her carry her spirit. The families who gathered today will tell their children of this moment. And for those of us lucky enough to be there—to see her pass by, to hear the tributes, to stand among those who had given so much—we will never forget.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, we left the beach, knowing we had been part of something bigger than ourselves. A moment of history. A farewell to a legend. A tribute to those who served.
The USS John F. Kennedy may have made her last journey today, but her legacy will live on forever.