Ahhh, I remember my first look at IKE. I was fresh from NPTU Balston Spa, She was near the end of a COH in Newport News.
It was close to dusk as I walked up the pier.
Welding sparks were flying, people scurrying all about, the smell of heavy machinery lingering in the air, and this massive beautiful gray lady (kind of odd referring to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower as a female) appearred towering above everything else, and I thought to myself holy S***.