Marianne Bonner Paulsen

My husband and I had the pleasure to be able to accompany the last leg of my youngest son's 2011 8-month deployment on the USS Reagan. The Reagan assisted after the Japanese earthquake and sailed to the far & middle east before returning home. We boarded at Pearl Harbor, where we were docked next to the Arizona Memorial. We were on board for 8 days on the return to San Diego. It was interesting to live among the crew and see their day-to-day routines as well as explore the ship and aircraft and watch the flight training and exercises. Especially memorable is the 1/4 mile hike that I had every time I needed to use the restroom!

Getting used to having a retired husband at home now. After more than 30 years without him there on weekends or holidays (life as a cop!) now he is always there - quite an adjustment!