USS ALABAMA OVERNIGHT

July 22-23, 2023

More than 270 Trailmen representing 15 troops from 5 states converged on the World War II Battleship USS ALABAMA for an overnight adventure hosted by the Trail Life USA Tennessee Valley Area.

The heat index was 129° with severe thunderstorms approaching when the first Trailmen began arriving.

Lightning and communication issues with park staff caused a delay in boarding the ship, but Trailmen sheltered in the Aircraft Pavilion and enjoyed viewing aircraft from P-51 Mustangs to the "Army One" helicopter used by Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Once Trailmen were placed in their assigned berths, they formed teams and toured the vessel on an Armed Forces Trivia Scavenger Hunt before Lights Out.

After breakfast and a group photo aboard the ship Sunday morning, Trailmen gathered for worship that included prayer, songs of praise, and a devotion about courage beside the ship that played the titular role in the 2016 film, USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage.

Trailmen won Battleship-themed prizes for their participation in the previous night's scavenger hunt and were dismissed to tour the museum and grounds.