Week 8-Deconstructing A Battleship

This is, of course, a fictitious battleship. I have toured the Alabama, Texas, and Wisconsin, so I have a vague idea (it’s been a few years, so my memory is fuzzy). My future self and the current crew of the battleship have been a tremendous help.

I’ve taken it down to scrap twice now, but the process to getting there is evolving. I may need to set the timer for longer tonight, because it’s getting more involved.

You, see, the crew, my future self, and I decided we wanted to use the components of this battle ship to help veterans help themselves. Certain aspects of the battleship are auctioned off to raise money for this project. Other components are removed and reinstalled in a land-based entity run for and by veterans. The kitchen equipment, for instance, powers restaurants called “The Wardroom” and “The Galley.” A legititmate veterans organization with a low overhead owns and operates them with veteran expertise as trainers and rehabilitators teaching veterans skills to either get a job or start a business of their own and continue to be self-supporting. The same goes for the other departments on the ship. The machine shop is repurposed in the same way.

I hope you can see where this is going. This battleship has defended America for many years. Now she is helping her previous crews and their brothers reintegrate into American society in productive, participative ways.

If you’re participating in this exercise, how is it manifesting for you?

5 thoughts on “Week 8-Deconstructing A Battleship”

  1. What an astounding idea for helping and representing veterans! Bravo! As for the exercise, I’ve been having some troubles with it…mainly breaking it down piece by piece until it’s gone. I can’t see all the details and don’t know much about a battleship’s composition. I start removing what I can see in my mind at the top where the steering of the vessel is done. Then, I’m suddenly taking the hull apart. Pretty sure I’m missing some pieces! 🙂

    My parents, myself, and my daughter actually toured the Alabama in Mobile Bay…probably 18 or 19 years ago. That was a great family road trip but I can’t seem to remember many details about the ship.

    1. Same for me. After the kitchens, wardroom, machine shop, and crew quarters, I’m not sure what to work on, but we each knew enough to accomplish the spirit and intent of the exercise which was to look beyond the surface.

  2. Jean what a wonderful fictional story that would make. The story of the dismantling sounded like story with lots of potential and conflict resulting in the manifestation of great accomplishment I loved your words, This battleship has defended America for many years. Now she is helping her previous crews and their brothers reintegrate into American society in productive, participative ways.” = your theme.

    No doubt you are a storyteller aka writer. I would read that story. I felt good reading it here and was delighted with how your mind worked.

    1. Thank you. I need to remember to add this to my ideas list, because I have considered a story for it.

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