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 the globe.

I liked the sounds of the Navy: the piercing trill of the boatswain’s pipe,
the syncopated clangor of the ship’s bell on the quarterdeck, and the strong
language and laughter of sailors at work.

I liked Navy vessels: plodding fleet auxiliaries and amphibs, sleek
submarines, and steady solid aircraft carriers.

I liked the proud names of Navy ships: Midway, Lexington, 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, mementos of
heroes who went before us.

And others – San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, St. Paul, Chicago, Oklahoma
City – named for some of our country’s great cities.

I liked the precision, tempo and pride of a Navy band.

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 the multitude of supplies, both mundane and 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, from all parts of the land, farms of
the Midwest, small towns of New England, big cities, mountains and 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 for courage. In a word, they were ‘shipmates’ – then, now and forever.

I liked the surge of adventure in my heart, when the word was passed: “NOW
HEAR THIS! NOW STATION 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 fierce and dangerous activity on the flight deck of aircraft
carriers, earlier named for battles won but sadly now named for politicians:
Enterprise, Independence, Boxer, Princeton, and oh so many more, some lost
in battle, and sadly… many scrapped.

I liked the names of the aircraft and helicopters: Skyraider, Intruder, Sea
King, Phantom, Skyhawk, Demon, Skywarrior, Corsair, and many more that bring
to mind offensive and defensive orders of battle.

I liked the excitement of an alongside replenishment as my ship slid in
alongside the oilier and the cry of “STANDBY TO RECEIVE SHOTLINES” prefaced
the hard work of rigging spanwires and fuel hoses echoed across the narrow
gap of water between the ships and welcomed the mail and fresh milk, fruit
and vegetables that sometimes accompanied the fuel.

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 that told me that my ship was alive and well, and that my shipmates on
watch would keep me safe.

I liked quiet mid-watches 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.

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.

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 who made them. I liked the
proud names of Navy heroes: Halsey, Nimitz, Perry, Farragut, John Paul
Jones, 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, we 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 chiefs’
quarters and mess decks.

Gone ashore for good now, we grow humble about our Navy days, when the seas
were a part of us and a new port of call was ever over the horizon.

Remembering this, we stand taller and proudly say, “I was a sailor .”
--
Scott in Florida

"Scott in Florida" <JustAskl@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:eqkdl39a32mqvu7fi3veja4d9td9rmakag@4ax.com...
>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 the globe.
>
> I liked the sounds of the Navy: the piercing trill of the boatswain's
> pipe,
> the syncopated clangor of the ship's bell on the quarterdeck, and the
> strong
> language and laughter of sailors at work.
>
> I liked Navy vessels: plodding fleet auxiliaries and amphibs, sleek
> submarines, and steady solid aircraft carriers.
>
> I liked the proud names of Navy ships: Midway, Lexington, 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, mementos of
> heroes who went before us.
>
> And others - San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, St. Paul, Chicago, Oklahoma
> City - named for some of our country's great cities.
>
> I liked the precision, tempo and pride of a Navy band.
>
> 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 the multitude of supplies, both mundane and 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, from all parts of the land, farms
> of
> the Midwest, small towns of New England, big cities, mountains and
> 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 for courage. In a word, they were 'shipmates' - then, now and
> forever.
>
> I liked the surge of adventure in my heart, when the word was passed:
> "NOW
> HEAR THIS! NOW STATION 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 fierce and dangerous activity on the flight deck of aircraft
> carriers, earlier named for battles won but sadly now named for
> politicians:
> Enterprise, Independence, Boxer, Princeton, and oh so many more, some lost
> in battle, and sadly. many scrapped.
>
> I liked the names of the aircraft and helicopters: Skyraider, Intruder,
> Sea
> King, Phantom, Skyhawk, Demon, Skywarrior, Corsair, and many more that
> bring
> to mind offensive and defensive orders of battle.
>
> I liked the excitement of an alongside replenishment as my ship slid in
> alongside the oilier and the cry of "STANDBY TO RECEIVE SHOTLINES"
> prefaced
> the hard work of rigging spanwires and fuel hoses echoed across the narrow
> gap of water between the ships and welcomed the mail and fresh milk, fruit
> and vegetables that sometimes accompanied the fuel.
>
> 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 that told me that my ship was alive and well, and that my shipmates
> on
> watch would keep me safe.
>
> I liked quiet mid-watches 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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 who made them. I liked the
> proud names of Navy heroes: Halsey, Nimitz, Perry, Farragut, John Paul
> Jones, 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, we 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 chiefs'
> quarters and mess decks.
>
> Gone ashore for good now, we grow humble about our Navy days, when the
> seas
> were a part of us and a new port of call was ever over the horizon.
>
> Remembering this, we stand taller and proudly say, "I was a sailor ."
> --
> Scott in Florida
>
>
>
>

Silly me, I thought all you wanted to do was ride the waves.

On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:57:31 GMT, "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net>
wrote:

>
>"Scott in Florida" <JustAskl@verizon.net> wrote in message
>news:eqkdl39a32mqvu7fi3veja4d9td9rmakag@4ax.com.. .
>>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 the globe.
>>
>> I liked the sounds of the Navy: the piercing trill of the boatswain's
>> pipe,
>> the syncopated clangor of the ship's bell on the quarterdeck, and the
>> strong
>> language and laughter of sailors at work.
>>
>> I liked Navy vessels: plodding fleet auxiliaries and amphibs, sleek
>> submarines, and steady solid aircraft carriers.
>>
>> I liked the proud names of Navy ships: Midway, Lexington, 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, mementos of
>> heroes who went before us.
>>
>> And others - San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, St. Paul, Chicago, Oklahoma
>> City - named for some of our country's great cities.
>>
>> I liked the precision, tempo and pride of a Navy band.
>>
>> 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 the multitude of supplies, both mundane and 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, from all parts of the land, farms
>> of
>> the Midwest, small towns of New England, big cities, mountains and
>> 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 for courage. In a word, they were 'shipmates' - then, now and
>> forever.
>>
>> I liked the surge of adventure in my heart, when the word was passed:
>> "NOW
>> HEAR THIS! NOW STATION 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 fierce and dangerous activity on the flight deck of aircraft
>> carriers, earlier named for battles won but sadly now named for
>> politicians:
>> Enterprise, Independence, Boxer, Princeton, and oh so many more, some lost
>> in battle, and sadly. many scrapped.
>>
>> I liked the names of the aircraft and helicopters: Skyraider, Intruder,
>> Sea
>> King, Phantom, Skyhawk, Demon, Skywarrior, Corsair, and many more that
>> bring
>> to mind offensive and defensive orders of battle.
>>
>> I liked the excitement of an alongside replenishment as my ship slid in
>> alongside the oilier and the cry of "STANDBY TO RECEIVE SHOTLINES"
>> prefaced
>> the hard work of rigging spanwires and fuel hoses echoed across the narrow
>> gap of water between the ships and welcomed the mail and fresh milk, fruit
>> and vegetables that sometimes accompanied the fuel.
>>
>> 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 that told me that my ship was alive and well, and that my shipmates
>> on
>> watch would keep me safe.
>>
>> I liked quiet mid-watches 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.
>>
>> 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.
>>
>> 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 who made them. I liked the
>> proud names of Navy heroes: Halsey, Nimitz, Perry, Farragut, John Paul
>> Jones, 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, we 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 chiefs'
>> quarters and mess decks.
>>
>> Gone ashore for good now, we grow humble about our Navy days, when the
>> seas
>> were a part of us and a new port of call was ever over the horizon.
>>
>> Remembering this, we stand taller and proudly say, "I was a sailor ."
>> --
>> Scott in Florida
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>Silly me, I thought all you wanted to do was ride the waves.
>
>

Of course....LOL

--
Scott in Florida