USS Nebraska cake

Thanks to Kris Fisher, wife of Mike Fisher, captain of the USS Nebraska, you can see the crew's decorated cake.

Kris also sent the following note:

"My husband, Mike Fisher, is the captain of the USS Nebraska. After you took their photo at the memorial yesterday you mentioned you'd post their sighting in your blog, so I looked you up from that.


We are indeed having a wonderful time in North Platte. We had lunch today (Friday) at the Eagles and were thrilled to see that not only did their slapdash cake win second place (Greenhorn division) but I believe it fetched the highest bid!


My family is staying with the lovely Orville Kaschke family, and he shared with us a book about the North Platte Canteen. It appears that unconditional and enthusiastic support of the military is born and bred into the people of North Platte, and as a Navy spouse, I am touched and grateful.


Warmly,
Kris Fisher"


Congratulations to the crew! You did a great job, especially when you consider you didn't know what you would be doing until you walked into the event.


Thanks also to Kris Fisher for sending the photo. I did not have time to get a photo before I had to be at work and I'm so glad she sent this so I could share it with you.


I just have one question with two parts.


Thursday was a hot, humid day. The crew worked with colorful frosting. I would have had frosting all over me just walking through the display looking at the cakes.


How do you keep those white uniforms looking so white with sharp creases no matter what the weather and task?

USS Nebraska Crew Celebrates NEBRASKAland Days

Above are representatives of the USS Nebraska, selected to represent the submarine's crew at NEBRASKAland Days. They visited the 20th Century Veterans' Memorial in North Platte Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately, I did not have time to get their names in the order in which they are standing: Mike Fisher, commanding officer, Riverside, Calif.; John Nelson, engineer, Michigan; Bob Butterton, Chief of the Boat, Helena, Mont.; Jason Brettin, A Div., Leading Chief Petty Officer, Indiana; Mike Johnston, machinery division, Fort Worth, Texas; and, Nick Johnson, missile technician, Vancouver, Wash. USS Nebraska's home port is in Bangor, Wash.

The USS Nebraska is the second U.S. Navy ship to be named in honor of Nebraska, the 37th state. She carries Trident ballistic missiles, according to Wikipedia.

USS Nebraska shares her nickname, "Big Red," with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Each year the Big Red Sub Club invites the USS Nebraska to send its top sailors to NEBRASKAland Days, an annual 10-day statewide celebration in North Platte.

It gives them an opportunity to mingle with the community and show appreciation for their support, the sailors said.

Thursday night they were going to attend the Frontier Revue, a rolicking, original musical telling the story of Nebraska and North Platte. What the sailors don't know is that besides being introduced to the crowd, they would most likely end up on the stage as part of the cast for a dance.

Another surprise that awaited the crew this afternoon was the all-male cake-decorating contest.

"We thought we would just come in and put some frosting on a cake," one said.

Instead, they saw other competitors making "works of art."

"We had no idea what we were getting into," another said, with a chuckle.

By the way, they made their cake into a submarine. If I can, I'll try to get a picture of it to show you tomorrow.

The crew was looking forward to attending the rodeo Friday night. Several said they had never been to a rodeo.

Each year the honored guests from the USS Nebraska arrive not knowing quite what to expect, but they leave with a feeling of appreciation for Western hospitality.

One sailor summed up their feelings: "They take such good care of us it is amazing."