A School for Dads

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Comment by Gingerman357 on March 30, 2010 at 5:33pm

I AM THE AMERICAN SAILOR

Hear my voice, America! Though I speak through the mists of 200 years, my shout for freedom will echo through liberty's halls for many centuries to come. Hear me speak, for my words are of Truth and Justice, and the Rights of Man. For those ideals, I have spilled my blood upon the world's troubled waters. Listen well, for my time is eternal - yours is but a moment.

I am the spirit of heroes past and future. I am the American Sailor. I was born upon the icy shores at Plymouth, rocked upon the waves of the Atlantic, and nursed in the wilderness of Virginia. I cut my teeth on New England codfish, and I was clothed in southern cotton. I built muscle at the halyards of New Bedford whalers, and I gained my sea legs high atop the mizzens of Yankee clipper ships.

Yes, I am the American Sailor, one of the greatest seamen the world has ever known. The sea is my home and my words are tempered by the sound of paddle wheels on the Mississippi, and the song of whales off Greenland's barren shore. My eyes have grown dim from the glare of sunshine on blue water, and my heart is full of star-strewn nights under the Southern Cross. My hands are raw from winter storms while sailing down round the Horn, and they are blistered from the heat of cannon broadside while defending our nation. I am the American Sailor, and I have seen the sunset of a thousand distant, lonely lands.

I am the American Sailor. It was I who stood tall beside John Paul Jones as he shouted, "I have not yet begun to fight!" I fought upon the Lake Erie with Perry, and I rode with Stephen Decatur into Tripoli harbor to burn the Philadelphia.

I met Guerroere aboard Constitution, and I was lashed to the mast with Admiral Farragut at Mobile Bay. I have heard the clang of Confederate shot against the sides of Monitor. I have suffered the cold with Peary at the North Pole, and I responded when Dewey said, "You may fire when ready Gridley," at Manila Bay. It was I who transported supplies through submarine infested waters when our soldier's were called "over there." I was there as Admiral Byrd crossed the South Pole. It was I who went down with the Arizona at Pearl Harbor, and I who supported our troops at Inchon, and patrolled dark deadly waters of the Mekong Delta.

I am the American Sailor and I wear many faces. I am a pilot soaring across God's blue canopy, and I am a Seabee atop a dusty bulldozer in the South Pacific. I am a Corpsman nursing the wounded in the jungle, and I am a Torpedoman in the Nautilus deep beneath the North Pole. I am hard and I am strong.

But it was my eyes that filled with tears when my brother went down with the Thresher, and it was my heart that rejoiced when Commander Shepherd rocketed into orbit above the Earth. It was I who languished in a Viet Cong prison camp, and it was I who walked upon the Moon. It was I who saved the Stark and the Samuel B. Roberts in the mine infested waters of the Persian Gulf. It was I who pulled my brothers from the smoke filled compartments of the Bonefish and wept when my shipmates died on the Iowa and White Plains. When called again, I was there, at the tip of the spear for Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

I am the American Sailor. I am woman; I am man; I am white and black, yellow, red and brown. I am Jew, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist. I am Irish, Filipino, African, French, Chinese, and Indian. My standard is the outstretched hand of Liberty. Today, I serve around the world, on land, in air, on and under the sea. I serve proudly, in war and peace alike. Tell your children of me. Tell them of my sacrifice, and how my spirit soars above their country. I have spread the mantle of my nation over the ocean and I will guard her forever. I am her heritage and yours.

I AM THE AMERICAN SAILOR!

Comment by Brian on March 30, 2010 at 4:29am

Lee has receieved her orders - she will be leaving in May for Sasebo, Japan. She will be a crewman on the USS Tortuga. This is where she originally wanted to go during recruiting - so I guess so far so good! I believe this will be an excellent opportunity for her & a great larning experience....God Bless all of our sailors, Thank each & everyone of your children for me, let them know I appreciate their Service to us, and my personal freedom. We just lost a soldier here in Palm City, Fl in Afganistan - Cpl Justin Wilson, he was 24. All he said her ever wanted (if he came home in a pine box) was flags... lots of American Flags - and he wanted everyone to know he died for his country - well - Cpl Wilson got his wish...Last Friday afternoon during procession - my neighbors & citizens fo Palm City lined the streets & bridge over the St. Lucie River holding Flags - LOTS OF THEM! It was a moment I will never forget, It's good to know I still live in a small toewn - like that.

God Bless

Comment by Dave M on March 26, 2010 at 12:06pm

Not a surprise. . . I think Gary T and others may remember the mudslides last summer that had the ATT school shut down for a few days (wanted to be sure the building was safe - it was). Makes for good memories for our sailors, and us parents can get a laugh or momentary pain.

Our 'Chicago Moment' on PIR weekend was when the two twenty something young ladies came up to our sailor and asked him to take their picture. Also the retired Marine who sat and talked with us in the museum, wishing our sailor well.

The journey gets better and better. A school for our sailor was in San Diego. He arrived last August and will not leave for the fleet until after C school ends about Memorial Day. Biggest complaint so far - they are remodeling and he will lose his single room and acquire a roomate.

Comment by Scott Pellerito on March 24, 2010 at 4:10pm

Ken, Congrats on your son's order to the Bush.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 24, 2010 at 10:10am

wait until they are on a carrier and it happens...then the fun starts........

Comment by Gary T. on March 24, 2010 at 9:12am

Ken, it is called RAP duty (Recruiters Assistance Program). It is worth while for a young sailor graduating A-School awaiting his first assignment. Gary T.

Comment by Gary T. on March 24, 2010 at 9:07am

Ken, give him my best. Hopefully he will be given a two week leave prior to reporting to his new assignment. If he does take leave have him look into working with his recruiter for five days while home. Those days do not count as leave days taken. Have him check with his recruiter. Gary T.

Comment by clay H on March 24, 2010 at 8:51am

Hey Bob Ang was right there with Rosie.... Is this to make up for all the times they sat and watched us clean up crap (sometimes literally) around the house?

Comment by KenH on March 24, 2010 at 8:33am

Gary, He graduates A school on or around April 6 and reports to the Bush on May 5. No C school for now, he's straight to the fleet.

Comment by Gary T. on March 24, 2010 at 8:26am

Thanks Bob! Glad it was nothing more serious. Gary T.

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