I pride myself on being able to write articulately, concisely, and resourcefully but today I admit that I am at a loss of words as I have been overwhelmed with humility and gratitude while reflecting on the details of the weekend.
The past two-three years of my life have been such a whirlwind full of incredible introductions, amazing events, and iconic moments that I feel blessed to have been a part. I began working on a story idea in 2015, that became a completed novel in March of 2016. During the research of the book I spent many hours, days, weeks aboard RMS Queen Mary and am now privileged to call many that I met aboard a friend. It was through this work that I was invited to attend the 80th Anniversary of the Queen Mary’s Maiden Voyage in May of 2016. A short two months after I finished the unedited version of the novel, I was rewarded with the opportunity to meet so many of the people I had researched or only corresponded with by email or phone. I also had the opportunity to meet Randolph Churchill, the great grandson to Sir Winston Churchill as he gave the ribbon cutting speech in an exhibition on RMS Queen Mary of Churchill’s paintings. It was at this event that I was encouraged to pursue an opportunity that I had been given to engage with a Screen Writing partner in creating the ‘Brides Aweigh’ novel in to a feature film script.
Fast forward to March of 2017 and I am posting about the now completed, but still raw version of the screen play. Took off a few months for other projects until Fall of this year, where I can now say we have a locked script and are in Post-Development, entering Pre-Production. It is in this phase of my life that I was again blessed with an invitation to attend another anniversary for my favorite Ocean Liner, RMS Queen Mary. December 9th,1967 she arrived in Long Beach, California completing her final 39-day voyage from Southampton under the command of Captain John Treasure Jones. An iconic landmark for Long Beach and all of California for the last 50 years, RMS Queen Mary continues to fascinate, inspire, and educate all she encounters in her current state as a hotel and museum.
In the collage above are pictures that we gathered on the short 36 hour trip we made to attend this historic occasion. As always, the Queen Mary did not fail to impress but it was the people that attended that made it so very memorable to me. I was surrounded by current lovers and supporters of the RMS Queen Mary, Sir Winston Churchill, and past passengers and crew. The first event was a dedication of “Their Finest Hour” Churchill Exhibition by Sir Winston’s great granddaughter, Jennie Churchill. The exhibit showcases several original set pieces from the new film Darkest Hour, used to recreate secret War rooms used by Churchill in WWII. When you step below the rooms are so supremely done that it is impossible not to feel a part of history and truly understand how daunting was the responsibility held by so many to plot the defeat of Hitler. The somberness was quickly replaced by the festive and jubilant spirit to the 50th Anniversary Gala held above on the Verandah Deck. It was here that I had a better opportunity to reconnect with June Allen, one of the first War Brides of the Queen Mary, that I have grown so close to in our many interviews in research for my novel. The revered Commodore Everette spoke as historic gifts were bestowed in the new partnership between RMS Queen Mary and the International Churchill Society, even a moment shared by the daughter of the last Captain, Treasure Jones. This night also included a brief meeting of the Last Stowaway, and author of book by the same name, who hid aboard the Queen Mary as she left Southampton for the last time. Fun fact; he believed he would be going to New York, unknowing it was a trip all the way to California.
Although the Gala was coming to a close, there were many that made way to the Observation Bar to finish out the night. I am so glad that I went along because it was there that I was able to be sing along and dance on the sidelines as Jennie Churchill joined in the Karaoke fun, singing ‘Sweet Caroline’, by Neil Diamond. It made the whole night, as did sharing a few dancing turns with Jennie Churchill’s companion, Laurence Geller CBE, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in 2011.
The next morning, I was back on the Verandah Deck for the Remembrance Ceremony and Salute to Long Beach from the Queen Mary. There did not seem to be a way to top the events from the night before but I was wrong. Waiting as on the Starboard side, I was privileged to sit with June Allen, which gave us a little more time to catch up. It was here that I was introduced to Maureen, a Southern California native, that was not only a passenger on the Queen Mary’s last cruise, but claims she was the very last passenger off the ship 50 years ago. I wish I had more time to hear Maureen’s adventurous story but the boats were before us in the water. Jennie Churchill and WWII veteran, Ray Deveau, one of the 810,000 Allied Personnel Queen Mary Carried as the Grey Ghost in her service as troopship, laid a ‘Wreath of Remembrance’ on the water to recognize those who went to war or returned from conflict aboard the Queen Mary, observed by a moment of silence. This was followed by a Fire Boat Water Cannon that gave a Splendid Anniversary Salute to the Queen Mary, that resulted in cheers and claps as we were graced with a full rainbow, a symbol of Peace. It was a sight to behold and a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.
Below are links for more pictures and facts in relation to the Queen Mary’s 50th Arrival in Long Beach, California.
https://www.facebook.com/thequeen.mary/posts/10155145315145920
What a majestic ship and as said I had the privilege of spending a night aboard after she found her new home in Long Beach.
My time aboard the Queen Mary is always inspirational for me. The history within her walls never ceases to amaze me and I feel honored to share in keeping her history alive. Thank you for reading my blog and responding. I love hearing from you Mr. Peha.