I have the watch!

[HawkerHurricane]

The Watch


For twenty years
This sailor has stood the watch

While some of us were in our bunks at night
This sailor stood the watch

While some of us were in school learning our trade
This shipmate stood the watch

Yes… even before some of us were born into this world
This shipmate stood the watch

In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history
This shipmate stood the watch

Many times he would case an eye ashore and see his family standing there
Needing his guidance and help
Needing that hand to hold during those hard times
But he still stood that watch

He stood the watch for twenty years
He stood the watch so that we, our families and
Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, Each and every night
Knowing that a sailor stood that watch

[BlueCollar]

1. Thanks for standing the watch...

AMS-2
VP-40
79-83

[HawkerHurricane]

2. And nobody cares!

Dang, I've never had a post go down in flames like this...

[Nailzberg]

9. Hawker, all the posts are sinking tonight

Just the way it is tonight.

You stay afloat, though. You and all your shipmates, past and present - I'm thankful for each and every one of them tonight.

[Don_G]

13. It's Thanksgiving

A quiet watch on your part with everyone here trying to figure out the best way to shove a turkey down your giblet.

We may not be drafted, but we also serve....

[areschild]

14. I care.

Sometimes I neglect to say it and I'm sorry about that. I care very much.

[NaMeaHou]

3. Thanks

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown they good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for Pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A throoughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown they good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
by Katarine Lee Bates

[trof]

4. Is it a Rolex?

I tried.
I tried SO hard not to.
And in the end, I just hadda.
;-)

[UrbScotty]

5. Kick!

:kick:

[havocmom]

6. Hi HawkerHurricane!

Hope the weather is fair and stars bright.

There are those who watch out over the sea
And miss those keeping the watch.

Every table set
is not fully met
Empty places in our evenings pain
and greive us.
Many hearts yearn
for the sailor's safe return.

Stand, ye, at your watch
in weather foul each dark night
but know, all ye sailors:
In the window, we keep a light.

[HawkerHurricane]

7. Hi, Havocmom

Ships tied to a pier, but someone has to make sure it doesn't get stolen.

[havocmom]

8. Read your post and it took me back decades

I was suddenly 7-9 years old or so. It was Thanksgiving, family everywhere. Couldn't take a step without tripping someone or causing them to trip. Cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents like a living sea throughtout the house.. but I was so alone. My big brother was out to sea. First it was Cuba then weather station Delta... So far away. So dark and alone, and I felt it every tour.

He is doing fine after bypass surgery Halloween. I hope the guy he saved in that fire on the ship is still healthy and enjoying life with his family.

So long ago. But I still look to the horizon after all these years, and hope the sailors standing watch know I am thankful.

Edited for a question: How was the trip to Hueneme? Loved that area when I lived there. But then, I never had to navigate that rather touchy channel. Always heard it could be a bear. Did think about applying for the lighthouse keeper job on Anacapa eons ago. I suppose it is all automated now. Pity that. Not much poetry in a computer operated beacon.

[HawkerHurricane]

10. I hope your brother continues to be well

Trip to Hueneme was ok. Just ok. I'm afraid to say that I don't like the town, mainly because there is nothing in walking distance of the base but bars.
The channel wasn't all that touchy, a little tight but a small ship can hack it, and well dredged and charted.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

11. Eternal Father for you, Hawkeye

aka The Navy Hymn


Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!


O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!


Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!


O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

[proud patriot]

12. Hey thanks man

:D