The first time I had a hamburger in Mallorca and tasted 7UP was when members of the U.S. navy came to our village and put on a party for all the children. It was a hearts and mind exercise which worked very well. Fast forward 50 years and the U.S. Navy in Mallorca can be seen but not heard.
The mighty Gerald Ford aircraft carrier was anchored in the Bay of Palma for a week but you wouldn’t have known it around Palma. I think I saw a handful of sailors in Palma and in Magalluf. They were all in small groups and keeping a low profile. No-one was allowed on board the carrier and it was a distinctly low key visit. What a shame.
The U.S. Navy has always been welcome in Mallorca and this is still the case today. Let us be honest, we should have made the crew of the Gerald Ford feel more welcome. The only greeting they got was a small protest against their presence by the pro-Palestinian lobby.
What about a welcome message to the crew from the Balearic government? What about the city council promoting a 2 for 1 happy hour on beers and soft drinks for the crew during a limited period and a limited time? Remember Spain is a NATO member and if things turn nasty it will be ships like the Gerald Ford which will be protecting Mallorca and Spain.