Just musing today

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on December 17, 2010 at 10:35pm

John- don't ever apologize for "dumping" your thoughts here.  That is what we are about....sharing in the journey of our sons and daughters in the Navy.  I know you are not a Navy parent, but you share in being a proud American just as we all are of "our"sailors.  I've been part of this journey now for over five years...my daughter is now a Navy veteran (that seems so strange to say) and my son is completing four years.  Over that time I've had many moments to reflect on what our military has done to not only protect out nation and our freedoms, but to help protect the freedom of people around the world.  I was recently speaking with someone and the thought came to me that the world needs a policeman to help keep the order and to help protect the interests of those that cannot speak for themselves, and though it can is messy job, I'm damn glad it is the USA that has stepped up to do so.  I'm sure the little fat guy in North Korea or the odd little man in Iran would love to do so, but I sleep much better at night knowing that our sons and daughters are doing it instead.

 

This Navy journey has deeply and fundamentally changed how I think and how I view our Country and those that step forward to protect it.  The pride I feel for what our sailors do in general and for what my son and daughter have done is visceral and intense and hard to put into words.

 

Last year, as Eric returned from cruise in the Mideast I had the distinct honor of taking a Tiger Cruise on his carrier.  As you are not Navy you probably do not know about what a Tiger Cruise is.  On many ships, when returning form deployment, familiy members are allowed to board the ship and live and cruise for a short period as the vessel comes into it's home port.  I met the USS Theodore Roosevelt (Nimitz-class carrier) in Mayport, Florida and lived on the ship as it cruised up to Norfolk----an experience of a lifetime.

 

I can honestly say, that next to the birth of my children that it was the highlight of my life and that I have never experienced as much pride for what the United States stands for as I did on that short cruise. Standing less than 50' from the cats as they launch F-18's and to see the professionalism of the crew was thrilling and to get to stand on deck as the carrier pulled into it's berth at Norfolk after being gone for 7 months was beyond words.

 

I'll close with saying that I only took 545 photos during that 2-day cruise, but I took one that summerizes all:

 

 

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Permalink Reply by John Morris on December 18, 2010 at 11:44am

Thanks Jim, I think once the military is in the bloodline, it's hard to take that tradition out of the family. Even if it means the son or daughter doing their civic duty and pulling a 2 year hitch before college or whatever they want to do after. Once your family is involved in the military, your all hooked.

How old is your son in symphony?
NavyDads Co-Admin, Jim said:

John, what wonderful thoughts and memories you have! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. My son is the first in my family to serve and I hope his children follow in his footsteps. Thanks for being a part of NavyDads!

On a side note, my oldest son played in the youth symphony here too, so I know what your're going through. Fun times!

Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!

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Permalink Reply by John Morris on December 18, 2010 at 11:57am

Thanks Paul, then I'll keep coming back and dumping! Your experience with the Navy is incredible. Can you imagine what all the parents are missing out on who don't have kids in service?

Isn't it amazing how profound our lives become once we are closely attached to someone in service of their country and fellow man, or if we are directly attached ourselves? Life just becomes much more all about us, and not all about me, I am not saying you were ever a "Me" guy Paul, but this transformation takes place in families all over our country once the military enters their lives, all the sudden, our country feels smaller in the sense that we are really one force, one people, one brand, we are all Americans. I managed to group folks in categories when I was younger, then the Army entered my life, and it became apparent that we are all Americans first, not Italian American, not Mexican American, not German American. We are AMERICANS. It irks me to this day that folks haven't figured that out yet. If folks like to insert country origin or culture before American, makes me wonder if maybe they are living in the wrong place.

Your cruise sounds like the cruise of a lifetime, I would give up any Carnival Cruise to Alaska or the Bahamas for a chance to take a ride with some fine sailors on the ship for just 5 hours. That would be a dream come true. I grew up in San Diego, and every year we would take advantage of Fleet Week. All the locals were welcomed to tour the ships and we got experience Navy life on board, walk around, I remember to this day as a kid walking on the bridge and feeling really special. Man, to be able to tell this ship where to go. Now that's a special person that can do that.

Your right about one thing, we are the worlds 911. They don't show their appreciation very much usually, but they know, they just won't say it, they know that we are the greatest country that ever graced the face of this earth, ever. It's tough being the big guy on the block, no matter what you do, folks look at you sideways.

Take care yall, now I gotta go take the kids out Christmas shopping for mama, and mama gets a break here at home, and me and the kids get to eat at Jack in the Box today after shopping!

NavyDads Admin (Paul) said:

John- don't ever apologize for "dumping" your thoughts here.  That is what we are about....sharing in the journey of our sons and daughters in the Navy.  I know you are not a Navy parent, but you share in being a proud American just as we all are of "our"sailors.  I've been part of this journey now for over five years...my daughter is now a Navy veteran (that seems so strange to say) and my son is completing four years.  Over that time I've had many moments to reflect on what our military has done to not only protect out nation and our freedoms, but to help protect the freedom of people around the world.  I was recently speaking with someone and the thought came to me that the world needs a policeman to help keep the order and to help protect the interests of those that cannot speak for themselves, and though it can is messy job, I'm damn glad it is the USA that has stepped up to do so.  I'm sure the little fat guy in North Korea or the odd little man in Iran would love to do so, but I sleep much better at night knowing that our sons and daughters are doing it instead.

 

This Navy journey has deeply and fundamentally changed how I think and how I view our Country and those that step forward to protect it.  The pride I feel for what our sailors do in general and for what my son and daughter have done is visceral and intense and hard to put into words.

 

Last year, as Eric returned from cruise in the Mideast I had the distinct honor of taking a Tiger Cruise on his carrier.  As you are not Navy you probably do not know about what a Tiger Cruise is.  On many ships, when returning form deployment, familiy members are allowed to board the ship and live and cruise for a short period as the vessel comes into it's home port.  I met the USS Theodore Roosevelt (Nimitz-class carrier) in Mayport, Florida and lived on the ship as it cruised up to Norfolk----an experience of a lifetime.

 

I can honestly say, that next to the birth of my children that it was the highlight of my life and that I have never experienced as much pride for what the United States stands for as I did on that short cruise. Standing less than 50' from the cats as they launch F-18's and to see the professionalism of the crew was thrilling and to get to stand on deck as the carrier pulled into it's berth at Norfolk after being gone for 7 months was beyond words.

 

I'll close with saying that I only took 545 photos during that 2-day cruise, but I took one that summerizes all:

 

 

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