I
WAS A SAILOR ONCE
*** 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 he globe - the ship beneath me feeling like a living thing as
the engines drove her swiftly through the sea.
*** I liked the sounds of the Navy - the
piercing trill of the boatswain’s pipe, the syncopated clanger of the ship’s
bell on the quarterdeck, the hard squak of the 1MC, and the strong language and
laughter of sailors at work.
*** I liked Navy vessels - - nervous darting
destroyers, 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 - - Barney, Dahlgren, Mullinix, McCloy, Leftwich, Mills,
Owens, Stickell, Noa, Paul, Coontz, T.C. Hart, Glover - - memories of heroes
who went before us.
And the others - - San Jose, Dan 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 liked Liberty Call and the spicy
scent of a foreign port.
*** I even liked the never-ending paperwork
and all-hands working parties as my ship filled herself with a multitude of
supplies, both critical and mundane in order to cut ties to the land and carry
out her mission anywhere on the globe 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 from 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 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, and 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 of noises large and small that told
me my ship was alive and well, and that my shipmates on watch would keep me
safe.
*** I like the quiet mid-watches with the
aroma of strong coffee - - the lifeblood of the Navy permeating everywhere.
*** And I liked the hectic watches when the
exacting minuet of haze-gray shapes racing at flank speed kept all hands on a
razors edge of alertness.
*** 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 brief few
seconds from a peaceful workplace to a weapon of war - - ready for anything.
*** 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 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 the 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 ward ward room and chief’s quarters and mess decks.
*** Gone ashore for good they 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.”
Submitted by LeRoy Crocker
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This story is primarily for the one's that served
in the armed services and ate the food.
An Admiral visited one of the ships of the line under his command.
While eating breakfast with the crew he was impressed to see the Naval insignia stamped on every
biscuit.
He went to the Chief cook to ask how this feat was done, so it could be used on other ships
under his command.
The Chief replied, "I'd be glad to share that with you, Admiral. After each biscuit is cut,
I just slap it here against my belt buckle which bears the Navy insignia.
Horrified the Admiral exclaims, "That's very unhygienic!"
The Chief shrugs and replies, "Well, If that bothers you sir,
I suggest you avoid the donuts."
Sent in by Gary Parks
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THIS IS WHY WE LOVE OLDER PEOPLE: A farmer stopped by the local mechanic's shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?’ The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.' The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm, and carry the goose in your other hand?' 'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way, he says 'Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.' The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?' The farmer said, 'Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?' The old lady replied, 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE OLDER PEOPLE: A farmer stopped by the local mechanic's shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?’ The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.' The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm, and carry the goose in your other hand?' 'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way, he says 'Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.' The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?' The farmer said, 'Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?' The old lady replied, 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE OLDER PEOPLE: A farmer stopped by the local mechanic's shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?’ The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.' The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm, and carry the goose in your other hand?' 'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way, he says 'Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.' The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?' The farmer said, 'Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?' The old lady replied, 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE OLDER PEOPLE: A farmer stopped by the local mechanic's shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?’ The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.' The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm, and carry the goose in your other hand?' 'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way, he says 'Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.' The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?' The farmer said, 'Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?' The old lady replied, 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens.
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THIS IS WHY WE LOVE OLDER PEOPLE: A farmer stopped by the local mechanic's shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?’ The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.' The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm, and carry the goose in your other hand?' 'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way, he says 'Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.' The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?' The farmer said, 'Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?' The old lady replied, 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE OLDER PEOPLE: A farmer stopped by the local mechanic's shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?’ The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.' The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm, and carry the goose in your other hand?' 'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way, he says 'Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.' The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?' The farmer said, 'Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?' The old lady replied, 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE OLDER PEOPLE: A farmer stopped by the local mechanic's shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?’ The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.' The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm, and carry the goose in your other hand?' 'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way, he says 'Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.' The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?' The farmer said, 'Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?' The old lady replied, 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens.
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