Hi David,
My youngest son Pete Jr. is on the USS Bataan a WASP Class Anphibious Assalt Ship which can carry up to 5,000 Marines, 6 - 8 Harriors, helicopors & Ospreys. Their mascot is a Gator and I've been told by more than one Sailor including my son that it's called a Gator Freightor. They will be bringing troops to Afganastan this April. Check out her web page. Like Pete Jr. says, "it's a really awsome ship Dad!" My oldest son Joe is on the USS John C. Stennis a Nemitz class air craft carrier which is in the Port of Hong Kong right now. Joe says, "It's a really BIG awsome ship Dad!" They are both very proud of their ships. No, I was never in the Navy, they got the idea from their older cousin who they are very close to. He served as a Coreman in Iraq with the Marines.
Your friend/,
Pete