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Crew's day off on U.S. carrier: a swim, karaoke©Associated PressDecember 2, 2001 ABOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT -- Worn-out sailors were treated to karaoke, ice cream and dips in the Arabian Sea on Saturday as the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt took a break from launching planes over Afghanistan. All the ship's 70 planes were grounded for 36 hours. The 4 1/2-acre flight deck became a playground for shooting basketballs or just strolling around in the sun in shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes. On the deck below, sailors waited patiently in a long line on an aircraft elevator for a chance to jump into the sea for a short swim. A Marine with a rifle kept watch for sharks. "It's good to have a day of rest like this to recharge our batteries," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean Reece, 29, from Charlotte, N.C. Among the swimmers was Rear Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, the Roosevelt battle group commander. Other crew members sang karaoke or held mock sumo wrestling matches in protective suits. But not everyone was resting. Navy and Marine mechanics were repairing aircraft, and loudspeakers called on sweepers to man their brooms.
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