In the editing room: USS Nimitz premieres November 11

Dear readers,

Today’s newsletter comes from the editing room. I’m dedicating my attention to finishing USS Nimitz: The People Behind the Ship, premiering on our YouTube channel this Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day.

The film brings together original crew member Jeff Culver, current commanding officer Captain Joseph Furco, naval historian Dr. Tyler R. Bamford of the Naval History and Heritage Command, and sailors we met aboard Nimitz on July 4 in New York Harbor. It also includes photographs and footage of her first commanding officer, Captain Bryan Compton, who later became a rear admiral.

The opening takes you into America’s 250th anniversary celebrations — the International Naval Review and spectacular flyovers over New York. Throughout the documentary, you’ll also see exclusive footage I filmed aboard USS Nimitz that day, alongside my conversations with her sailors.

Across 51 years of service, we explore the history behind the name, life aboard a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the changing opportunities to serve, and the families and friendships that sustain its people. Personal photographs, archival material, and conversations connect the ship’s earliest days with the crew serving today.

Watch Preview Below

To everyone who contributed financially to this documentary: thank you. Your support helped make this independent production possible. And to everyone who shared their memories, photographs, expertise, and time: thank you for trusting me with these stories.

Regular newsletters are taking a brief pause while I complete the film. I look forward to sharing it with you on Wednesday.

Warmly,
Olga
Founder & Editor, ONEST