I would speak to you of legacy, of heritage, of lore...
Of Bosn's pipes, and Seaman's stripes, and far exotic shores
Of cannon's blaze, and battle's haze 'cross sunset's brilliant hues
Of Jones' creed, and Perry's deeds and jackets dyed of blue
Of Decatur's triumphs at Tripoli, of Farragut's daring raid,
Of Gridley's bidding his Commodore's will on the Galleons of Manila Bay
Of Peary beneath the Northern Lights to stake his country's claim
Of Byrd's enduring Antarctica...of memories of the Maine
Of days that live in infamy, of the daunting sixth of June
Of boys who too soon became men, of men who died too soon
Of Corpsmen on a mountaintop, of Tarawa's crimson sand,
Of Kamikazes vicious toll to save a conquered land
Of Nautilus' historic jaunt beneath a sea of ice,
Of Thresher and her lesser fate...her grand and awful price
Of Mekong Delta's deadly plains and they who bear the scars...
Of men who dared to dream of flight - and danced amongst the stars
Of those who reigned a righteous storm across a desert's face,
Of ships called Stark and Iowa...of courage tinged with grace,
Of Cole, who answered duty's call to disregard her fears,
Of Ensigns shred to staunch the flow of blood and sweat and tears...
I would speak to you of legacy, of heritage, of lore,
But speak to you of destiny - and greatness yet in store
HM3 Daniel L. Henry