Two Tales
Posts:214
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| 12 Nov 2010 08:58 AM |
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.remember this to all ye meet...a ship is like a living beast...feel her now as she shifts her weight...benieth your feet her heart still beats...
Fair Winds and Following Seas
*** I liked standing on the bridge wing at sunrise with salt spray in my face and clean ocean winds whipping in from the four quarters of the globe - - the ship beneath me feeling like a living thing as her engines drove her swiftly throug...h the sea.
*** I liked the sounds of the Navy - the piercing trill of the boatswains pipe, the syncopated clang of the ship's bell on the quarterdeck, the harsh squawk of the 1MC, and the strong language and laughter of sailors at work.
*** I liked Navy vessels -- nervous darting destroyers (they were called 'tin cans' for a reason), plodding fleet auxiliaries and amphibs, sleek submarines and steady solid aircraft carriers.
*** I liked the proud names of Navy ships: Midway, Lexington , Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Coral Sea, Antietam, Valley Forge - - memorials of great battles won and tribulations overcome.
*** I liked the lean angular names of Navy "tin-cans" and escorts - - Kenneth D. Bailey DDR-713, Barney, Dahlgren, Mullinix, McCloy, Damato, Leftwich, Mills, Stickell, Noa, Paul, Coontz, T.C. Hart, Glover - - mementos of heroes who went before us. And the others - - San Jose , San Diego , Los Angeles , St. Paul , Chicago - - named for our cities.
*** I liked the tempo of a Navy band blaring through the topside speakers as we pulled away from the oiler after refueling at sea. (I missed this thrill...)
*** I liked Liberty Call and the spicy scent of a foreign port.
*** I even liked the never-ending paperwork and all-hands working parties as the ship filled herself with the multitude of supplies, both critical and mundane in order to cut ties to the land and carry out her mission anywhere on the globe where there was water to float her.
*** I liked sailors, officers and enlisted men, from all parts of the land; farms of the Midwest, small towns of New England , from the cities, the mountains and the prairies, from all walks of life. I trusted and depended on them as they trusted and depended on me - for professional competence, for comradeship, for strength and courage. In a word, they were "shipmates"; then and forever.
*** I liked the surge of adventure in my heart, when the word was passed: "Now set the special sea and anchor detail - all hands to quarters for leaving port," and I liked the infectious thrill of sighting home again, with the waving hands of welcome from family and friends waiting pier side.
*** The work was hard and dangerous; the going rough at times; the parting from loved ones painful, but the companionship of robust Navy laughter, the "all for one and one for all" philosophy of the sea was ever present.
*** I liked the serenity of the sea after a day of hard ship's work, as flying fish flitted across the wave tops and sunset gave way to night.
*** I liked the feel of the Navy in darkness -- the masthead and range lights, the red and green navigation lights and stern light, the pulsating phosphorescence of radar repeaters - they cut through the dusk and joined with the mirror of stars overhead. And I liked drifting off to sleep lulled by the myriad noises large and small and the rocking from side to side that told me my ship was alive and well, and that my shipmates on watch would keep me safe.
*** I liked quiet midwatches with the aroma of strong coffee -- the lifeblood of the Navy permeating everywhere.
*** And I liked hectic watches when the exacting minuet of haze-gray shapes racing at flank speed kept all hands on a razor edge of alertness. (Some times those shapes came too damn close.)
*** I liked the sudden electricity of "General quarters, general quarters, all hands man your battle stations," followed by the hurried clamor of running feet on ladders and the resounding thump of watertight doors as the ship transformed herself in a few brief seconds from a peaceful workplace to a weapon of war -- ready for anything.
*** And I liked the sight of space-age equipment manned by youngsters clad in dungarees and sound-powered phones that their grandfathers would still recognize.
*** I liked the traditions of the Navy and the men and women who made them. I liked the proud names of Navy heroes: Halsey, Nimitz, Perry, Farragut, John Paul Jones and Burke. A sailor could find much in the Navy: comrades-in-arms, pride in self and country, mastery of the seaman's trade. An adolescent could find adulthood.
*** In years to come, when sailors are home from the sea, they will still remember with fondness and respect the ocean in all its moods - the impossible shimmering mirror calm and the storm-tossed green water surging over the bow. And then there will come again a faint whiff of stack gas, a faint echo of engine and rudder orders, a vision of the bright bunting of signal flags snapping at the yardarm, a refrain of hearty laughter in the wardroom and chief's quarters and mess decks.
*** Gone ashore for good they will grow wistful about their Navy days, when the seas belonged to them and a new port of call was ever over the horizon.
*** Remembering this, they will stand taller and say, "I WAS A SAILOR ONCE AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN." |
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| Two Tales
Around the ragged edge on the rim of reality!
LM, DAV, Ret USN, Chief Instructor CE/FS, NRA Instructor |
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flags
Posts:87
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| 22 Dec 2010 08:10 AM |
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I've spent more than 22 years sailing before the mast. This has to be one of the best posts about my beloved Navy that I have ever seen and I concur completely. It will be with a sad heart that I depart this incredible branch of the service in 2013. I will miss the brotherhood of the Chief's Mess most of all.
I really like the fact that the Navy is the only branch of the military that is specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Even back then they understood that this nation simply can not survive it it does not have a powerful Navy. All the other branches are inportant, but are not Constitutionally gaurenteed. I like that.
AD-28
Chief Flags |
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Two Tales
Posts:214
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| 22 Dec 2010 12:45 PM |
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My cousin who is also retired USN sent this to me...the first lines are mine..but I think all that have ever served aboard ships will alway agree...I have printed this out and have placed it in my stuff..one of these days (far in the future I hope) it will be removed and read at my grave side... |
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| Two Tales
Around the ragged edge on the rim of reality!
LM, DAV, Ret USN, Chief Instructor CE/FS, NRA Instructor |
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cbrown36
Posts:167
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| 25 Dec 2010 09:55 AM |
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WOW. That is a good post Two Tales. It basically says everything! I spent 13 years in and made Chief was up for Senior twice and got out. As a "hole SNIPE" my body was wore out, with years of averaging 3-4 hours of sleep a day most of the time that wasn't at one time. Plus mom got extremely sick and spent the next 14 years with Dementia. But I am still proud of my time in and wouldn't trade the experience and friends I made. It was a different life style. I really miss the comeradrie (spelling).
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ptomlin
Posts:16
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| 29 Dec 2010 08:19 AM |
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I really enjoyed reading that I borrowed it from you Thanks. I retired as A CPO in 2005 after 22 years. I miss some things others not so much. Mainly Miss my brothers and sisters in the Mess. |
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wjewett1
Posts:17
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| 29 Dec 2010 08:52 AM |
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You have made me home sick for the Navy. |
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| A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people who no longer understand it.
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Two Tales
Posts:214
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| 30 Dec 2010 07:55 AM |
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I'll ask a couple of questions here. Have you ever been out and about, miles from the sea, and smelled the salt air...or catch your self looking up if you hear the faint call of a gull...or, if by the shore, standing looking out at the water and counting the waves...if you have, you have what my uncle called a sailor's heart... |
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| Two Tales
Around the ragged edge on the rim of reality!
LM, DAV, Ret USN, Chief Instructor CE/FS, NRA Instructor |
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takannel
Posts:5
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| 16 Feb 2011 04:54 PM |
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I miss my Navy and te ports we visited in the 20 years that I served. Wish I could go back.
AO1 Ret |
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JVICKS
Posts:28
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| 06 Mar 2011 03:21 PM |
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 Spent three years aboard the USS Constellation 1973-1976, some of the best times of my life ! |
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chadchappell
Posts:35
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| 15 Apr 2011 11:35 PM |
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I did 7 yrs before I was medically discharged, and I wish on most days that I could get back in. I loved it and miss all the ports, shipmates, and comradery. I have joined and been an active member in our vfw post and that makes up for a small part of what I miss, but it would be great to get the chance to do it again to add to the millions of stories we get out of it |
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kappestrano
Posts:73
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| 16 Apr 2011 04:22 PM |
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Beautiful post Two Tales! Takes me back to my 20 years of service in the great United States Navy, many fond memories. |
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| Duane Kappes
NAHC Life Member
PF Life Member
U.S. Navy Retired |
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swamprat01
Posts:18
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| 14 Jan 2012 05:26 PM |
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Ispent 22 1/2 years then retired. ,one thing I can honestly say is you only remember the good times, the bad ones sort of fade away. I never regret my time and would not trade it for anything. It is a shame thay did away with the draft as many of todays young people have lost their way. The Navy taught you how to handle just about any situation. |
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jplosay
Posts:197
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| 10 Feb 2012 11:02 PM |
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Thanks. Sea duty brought folks together as a team like nothing else. 20 years and 1 month. And I'd do it again....
Aye, mates, for twenty years this man stood the watch...
While some of us lay about our bunks at night, this officer stood the watch.
And yes, even before many of us were born, this officer stood the watch.
As our families watched the storm clouds of war brewing on the horizon of history, he stood the watch.
This officer looked ashore and saw his family, often needing his guidance, but knew he must stay because he had the watch.
For twenty years he stood the watch so that we and our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly, in safety, knowing that an officer would stand the watch.
Today we are here to say the watch stands relieved by those you have led, guided and trained.
Lieutenant Commander James Plosay, You stand relieved. We have the watch.
Boatswain, stand by to pipe the side.
Shipmate going ashore.
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| SE Alaska
Ret USN, NAHC Life member, NRA Life Member |
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pdsteele
Posts:2
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| 28 Mar 2012 07:12 PM |
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loved the post. the line about the strong coffee is the truth. I spent many mid watches down in DC central with a lovely cup of mess deck coffee. I spent 10 years in our beloved navy would do it again any day. |
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primers
Posts:46
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| 15 Apr 2012 09:50 PM |
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Two Tales....Thanks for that ...Navy 70 to 74....been working on the ocean almost ,ever since then..I am three miles out right now and thinking of home....Again Thanks.....
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David Asche
Posts:64
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| 06 Jul 2012 01:49 AM |
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Navy Sandrat on a "Plodding fleet Auxilliary" a Repair ship. I almost broke into tears reading the post at the head of this thread. My dad was a Navy man all through WWII and Korea, and I put in four years myself with three WESPAC cruises to my credit. crossing the Pacific took two weeks on my ship. The salt air, hot coffee and petro-bond sand are my favorite smells. Cut me and I bleed haze grey. |
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pokerbud
Posts:48
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| 28 Jul 2012 06:33 PM |
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AWESOME post Two Tales! I retired last year after 22 1/2 years. 4 ships, 4 shore, 4 WESTPACS, 1 MEDCRUISE, 1 shore tour in Iraq, countless RIMPACS and who-knows how many days haze grey and underway. One thing's for sure, unless you've been there you just can't understand the love a Sailor has for the Sea. Many a morning for sunrise and many a night for sunset on the bridge wing. The star filled nights so bright you can see the horizon and the pitch black nights you can't see your hand in front of your own face. The luminescent glow of the plankton as the ship's bow cuts through the waves. The destinct smell of salty air in your nose and the salt on your lips as a daily reminder that you're a Sailor. I miss those days of underway and thank God I was able to serve my county in such an amazing way.
HOOYAH to those Sailor's who have served before me, those with me, and those after me. May the ocean's waves take you as far as your heart desires. Fair winds and following seas Shipmates!
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| NAHC Life Member / USN(RET) - MA1 / Always remember those that have gone before us. |
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navyman_bosley
Posts:127
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| 16 Aug 2012 10:56 AM |
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I myself spent four years on the Truman. Nothing in the world better than hearing the Skipper address us. "In keeping with the Truman tradition, being early is being on time. Keep your eye on the target, keep your head on a swivel and continue to Give Em Hell. That is All" Will never forget Capt Groothausen and his inspiring All Hands calls over the 1MC. High Speed Turns, The Suez, The Horn. Shellback for life!!! |
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| 4 years Aircraft Support Equipment Technician US Navy, Global War on Terror/Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran. Marlin XS7C 243, federal premium 100gr, Marlin model 783 22mag tube fed bolt action, Tenpoint Titan HLX, Tenpoint carbon bolts, 100gr 3 blade spitfire, Thompson Center Black Diamond Camo stock .50 cal home made round balls, maxi balls, mini balls, and maxi hunters(maxi hunter is the way to go!) |
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