TONGAN UPDATE AUGUST 13, 2008 TONGON IDOL(TI) EVENT 3 by Elder Jones

TONGAN UPDATE AUGUST13, 2008 THE USS J.S. MCCAIN

EVENT #3: The USS J.S. McCain Battleship-featured by Elder Jones, Elder May, Elder Hauser, and Elder Faletoa-written by Elder Jones.

While walking the streets of Nuku'alofa, a sailor approached us and asked if we would like to tour the USS J.S. MaCain battle ship.

Of course we were excited to go but would it get us in trouble. We called President McMurray, and he authorized us to go and reminded us to remember who we were and who we represented. At 6:30pm we met our guide who took us to the military port. We boarded the "Ikale," a small Tongan vessel used to travel to 'Eua, which took us out onto a barge from which we boarded the USS McCain.

My companions and I hunted down the sailor, named Robert Ogden, who had invited us to come to the ship .. He neglected to tell us that he was the Executive Officer of the ship, second in command, and a member of the Church. He took us down to his personal quarters, where we waited until a four-star colonel arrived. Then we and the other guests indulged ourselves with a buffet dinner which included shrimp, a roasted pig, cake, and a giant ice eagle.

We mingled with military personnel from Canada, America, Australia, France, and New Zealand. There were also about forty Peace Corp workers and a few Tongan dignitaries. I began to speak with a Tongan man and found out that he had been the Tongan Prime Minister for twenty-five years and is now the consulate to America and lives in San Francisco. While we were talking, he was asked if he would like a tour of the ship. He answered, "Yes," and informed his liaison that the missionaries would be joining him for the official tour.

We were able to go below and see the engine room, officer quarters, the battle command room. We also went on deck and took pictures on the bridge, including sitting in the captain's chair.

To top off the night, we stood on the side of the destroyer and watched as the fireworks rose above the Tongan capital city of Nuku'alofa.

After the fireworks we reboarded the "Ikale" and rode back to the wharf and returned home.

Our email is jthompsonmiss@yahoo.com OUR LINES WON'T BE OPEN UNTIL ALL EVENTS HAVE BEEN READ, BUT DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!