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In the late 70s my ship hosted HMCS Ottawa when the Standing Naval Force Atlantic visited Charleston. We hosted the wardroom of the Ottawa at a picnic at the weapons officer's house. As a newly minted Ensign I was assigned to take a bus and escort the Canadian officers to and from the event.

On the way back I mentioned that I hadn't heard Oh Canada in French in quite a while. As a result, the bus full of drunk Canadians and one drunk American singing in French were stopped by the Marine guards at the gate to Naval Station, Charleston. After speaking with the petty officer driving they waved us through. The captains following behind us were stopped and their car searched.

When we arrived back at their ship I was invited aboard for a nightcap while a Canadian PO made sure my all too sober driver didn't stay that way. Coming from a naval family I knew the various traditions of wardroom visitors to Royal Navy and daughter services wardrooms.

After looking around the wardroom I commented that it was a shame I didn't have anything to drink or I would propose a toast to Queen Elizabeth. If a visitor will propose a toast to the Queen, the Queen buys the bottle. The Queen bought a VERY nice bottle of Scotch. I'm still not exactly sure how the PO and I got back to the ship. Evidently all was well as I never heard anything from the XO or Captain.

Years later I won free drinks from the Canadian Liaison Officer because I was the only non-Canadian who could sing Oh Canada (badly) in French.

"Ceterum censeo Islam esse delendam."

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)