Harry Truman is returning to Key West - well, his namesake is. The USS Harry S Truman is arriving in Key West this week, with 5,500 crewmembers aboard.

The USS Truman is the US Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and carries over 80 aircraft. It'll be anchored beyond the reef line, with sailors run to/from shore by local charter boats.

Several hundred family members are expected to be in town as well. It should be a busy week in Key West!

I am sorry to say they may not. With all of the storms out there they are not sure if it is safe to come in. So we will just have to wait and see but it looks unlikely.

Good news! It looks like it is on! I understand the ship is already near Key West waters! We are all very excited. Unfortunantly due to hightened security since 9/11 they will not allow tours as they have done with other ships in the past but none the less it will still be a good shot in the arm for Key West.

Even better news! They will be allowing guests, by invitation only, so maybe we will see some good pics in the paper.

Allowing guests on the USS Truman? Very, very cool! We just had a camera team down at the Key West offices... but they've left. I guess that does leave us with newspaper photos!

grglnswsh, if you're able to go aboard, we'd enjoy hearing about the experience (hint, hint)!

Maybe our own Marjorie Paul Shook or Tom Luna will get a invitation...

I hope I will get one. There is a nice cocktail party Sat night with the big wigs of the ship and I think the invitations are handed out then. I cant wait to see all those men in those uniforms!

grglnswsh, did you get that invitation? Is the Truman still in Key West? Several questions I know, just wondering how it's all going down there!

You bet I did! Boy! Is it a spectacular ship! It is as long as the Empire State Building is tall. Over 5000 people on board and the average age is about 19. They serve over 18,000 meals a day on it and offer food 24 hours a day! They have a prison, barbershop, 3 gyms, a couple of stores, and a hospital. Its like a floating city. Unfortunately we were not able to take a tour of the ship due to heightened security since 9/11 but they had a really nice reception for all of the guest with lots of food and drink. Then we were treated to a show by some of the people on board. It was cool. The ship is just massive. It is 9 miles off the coast but you can see it from Key West.