Sorry, should have PM'ed that....

Marshall,
Glad to meet you. I was on the Blue Ghost 2-67 till 12-71. If you landed on the Lex in 1966 the numbers would be in the range of around 200,000th approxomiately. Might have been number 230,000th? What type plane were you flying? During my time, we trapped number 250,000th and cat shots were up around 125,000. Never be another ship with those numbers. But it sole purpose at that time was carrier training and requals. Yes we saw a lot of rough landing, cat shots, and lost many pilots and crew in that time frame. Night time ops and heavy seas were always dangerous for everyone. I spent my times in the catapult control console and some time on deck.
I was born in Quanah and lived on family farm till we moved to Lubbock in 1956 and farmed and ranched on weekend and summer. What was your grandparent name? Also what part of SE NM are you from. We used to love trips to Ruidoso, Cloudcroft, Sunspot, and the Carlsbad Caverns. Pretty country around that area.
Yes it is a small world we live in. I have ran across numerous people whom were on the Lex as crew and as pilots also. They made a nice museum out of her at Corpus Christi. Still keep in touch with about 25 of the old mates and we get together every so often.

Keetowah,
Sorry I am not much of an OKIE. I lived in Altus for a short period of time in the 70s. I will keep you in mind on the snake skins. Just got to wait till dove and quail season opens before we go up that way again.
James