I WAS interested to read the Echo article (March 21) about the visit of the giant USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier to the Solent.

Once NATO ships like the Roosevelt would actually visit Southampton and they were open to the public to visit. What a great thrill that children especially felt as they toured these mighty warships that for a brief time shared our city.

One of my fondest memories was of the USS Shangri-La, an aircraft carrier that came to the city in the early 60s .

The weather was foul but the mighty warship was open to the public for three days. My brother and myself spent the next three days on board the Shangri-La, even being invited to tea by some of the sailors.

It was such an impressive ship.

The crew were so friendly I definitely wanted to join the American Navy.

The trouble was I was English, which made it a bit difficult. I remember asking a sailor where the toilet was. He said I will show you the ‘heads’, which is a common term for the toilets in most Navies. From this time on I have always admired American hospitality. Whatever your politics, those American sailors from the USS Shangri-La did much for their country’s prestige.

I for one have always had a soft spot for Americans and a nation that could breed such nice and kind people as those American sailors I met as a child back in the 60s.

PADDY MAXWELL, Southampton.