Before boarding the ship, the two RV Gypsies strolled along The SECU Memorial Walkway.

Below: The U.S.S. North Carolina flying The National Flag (The Ensign)

Below: As the two RV Gypsies walked around The Memorial Walkway, they enjoyed signs and emblems of the five Military Departments posted along the fence.

Birds - The first one below has its mouth open.

Rounding the corner of the walkway,
the two RV Gypsies got another view of the ship

Below: Swamp scenery

Below: The "Jack of the United States" is a maritime flag representing U.S. nationality, flown on the jackstaff in the bow of U.S. vessels that are moored or anchored. The ensign (the national flag) is always the largest flag and flown on the stern of the ship when anchored or moored. Once under way, the ensign is flown from the main mast and the jack is lowered, removed, and stowed away for future use. The design of the jack is essentially the canton of the U.S. National Flag and modified as needed.

Surprise! Surprise! An Alligator

Now on the backside of the Walkway, the two RV Gypsies viewed the other side of the ship and its big anchor.

Below: On the side of the ship is The Battleships's achievements during World War II.  - known as The Kill Board

The two Islands and 9 Japanese flags shown under the islands represent the 9 times the U.S.S. North Carolina bombarded Japanese-held islands.
The two different flags are both Japanese. The red sun with the rays was the ensign flying from military ships, The plain red sun was and is the national flag,

The sinking ship represents the Japanese merchant marine ship EIKO MARU. The North Carolina sunk her on January 29, 1944.
The crashing plane and 24 flags signify that the U.S.S. North Carolina downed 24 enemy planes.

Below: Signs describing The Battle Ribbons shown above

Leaving the walkway, the two RV Gypsies went inside the building and paid to board the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship.

Entering the building, they saw an alligator warning! Duh - already saw the alligator, long before they saw this sign. But the two RV Gypsies would never even dream of feeding an alligator, nor of letting the alligator feed on them.

Below: Posters in the hallway

Below: Karen Duquette met an old Navy Buddy!

Continue on as the two RV Gypsies board the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Memorial