I am the American Sailor

US Navy graduation ceremony | unknown | unknown

[Nitro]

I am the American sailor

Hear my voice America
Though I speak through the mist of over 200 hundred years
My shout for freedom will echo through Liberty's hall for many centuries to come

Hear me speak for my words are truth, justice and the rights of man
For these ideals I have spilled my blood upon the worlds 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

My eyes have grown dim from the glare of sunshine on blue waters
My heart is full of star strewn nights under the Southern Cross
I have seen the sun set on a thousand lonely distant lands
Yet always have my people and their hopes lighted my horizon

Yes I am the American sailor

My standard is an outstreched hand of Liberty
My watchword is prepared and my joy is in the power of freedom
My spirit is The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights
I am Democracy's servant and I will serve her honorably ever again

Today my youthful spirit stands as it always has
A shining hope for peace, a tower of strength to my country
Today I serve around the world on land, in the air, on and under the sea
I serve proudly at peace armed with the fervent prayer that I need not be called again

Tell your children of me
Tell them of my sacrifice and my spirit that soared above their country

I spread the mantle of my Nation over the shoulders of the ocean and I shall gaurd her forever

I am her heritage and yours
I am the American sailor.

[Nitro]

This poem always strikes me right in the heart, I hope you enjoy it as well!

[LibKill]

Yes, we can always count on our "Blue Jackets".

I spent two years on Navy ships in a Marine Detachment.

I know the Navy pretty well. They toil until there is nothing left to give and then somehow they give some more.

The American Sailor is a worthy inheritor of a proud tradition.

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

Go get them, guys.

[starxmtn]

Thank you Nitro. My daughter just began her 18th year in the US Navy and my son has begun his 16th year. This poem touched my heart. Many words from different people have touched me in the last few days, while terroristic acts from others have made my blood boil. God Bless America

[Nitro]

Thanks, that is my handle. The USS Nitro AE-23, retired 1 April 1995. She was a bit of a beast, but she was our beast. If you know what I mean. I spent 3 and 1/2 of the best years I will ever know in that ship.

[Nitro]

Aint she a BEAUTY!!!

The finest Fast-Attack AE in the fleet!
We set every record there ever was for an AE, we downloaded the USS Kennedy in less than 24 hours. No two other ships could have done that, I love that ship!

[Britton J Wingfield]

I tried to get a hold of a recruiter today, but will have to try again tomorrow. Maybe someone here can answer a question for me:

I am wanting to go back into the reserves, and am wondering if I would have to repeat basic training. I was in 88-94, plus 2 years of inactive reserve. I was honorably discharged as an E-5. I just turned 31.

I know I'd lose stripes going back in, of course, but I'm not sure about the bootcamp issue. Anybody have any idea?

[CWOJackson]

Bravo Zulu!

[Britton J Wingfield]

I seem to remember one guy in my company back in 88 redoing bootcamp after broken service, but I was too busy marching, shining shoes, and getting my ass chewed to really pay attention to that :)

[fnord]

Nope, don't have to redo boot camp. That's what got me to come in the National Guard 8 years after I got out of the Marines. You might lose a stripe or 2, but come on in!

[Britton J Wingfield]

Praise Bob! I'll be right there!

[Nitro]

It isn't me, it is the people that raised me and the country I live in that made me what I am. You should send the BZ their way!

But thanks anyway!!

[timydnuc]

Wonderful post! I used to call them "rustpickers" I won't do that anymore. It was a intraservice joke anyway. In VietNam on several battles, we called for Army Artillary and couldn't get it. We called for the Navy and we got anything we wanted. It's amazing what they can do with those big assed guns. But, the rounds coming in will scare the beeeJesus straight out of you, the enemy, and any tigers that happen to be in the neighborhood! The explosion was good enough, but the incoming sound was like God screaming at you.

Let me tell you though...them rust pickin' suckers could shoot! Saved my ass more than once! Very good considering that they were lobbing those puppies nearly 20 miles!! Nerves O steel! You've got to give it to those rust pickers...damn fine shots!

Here's to the Navy.....!

[ValerieUSA]

Thank you, I printed it out for my oldest son who just finished Navy boot camp and myself and his younger brothers.

[Britton J Wingfield]

After 6 years out I only lose one stripe! Yeehaw. I'm going back in as a SeaBee instead of an HT, attached to part of Amphib Construction Battalion 1, and it turns out they give E-4 SeaBees a $5k signup bonus, so I can deploy (almost) debt-free :)

This rocks the casbah :)

[fnord]

welcome back

[Nitro]

SeaBee is much better than being a shit chaser! Kick ass and take names!