Shipmates Forever - A Veterans Day Tribute

 

Tomorrow is Veterans day. It is a day to remember the men and women who have served our country in the Armed Forces.

 

This is a picture of my husband's uncles. Winston (left) and Victor Fuller grew up on a farm in southeast Oklahoma. They joined the U.S. Navy at the beginning of World War II and served on ships in the South Pacific. Victor and Winston are no longer with us, but I believe these two brave sailors are "shipmates forever" and their friends and family will never forget them.

 

In 1935, the movie "Shipmates Forever" featured a song named "Don't Give Up The Ship" . I think this song is a wonderful Veterans Day tribute to all sailors and soldiers who have served our country.

 

DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP

 

Shipmates, stand together,

Don't give up the ship;

Fair or stormy weather,

We won't give up, We won't give up the ship;

Friends and pals forever, It's a long, long trip;

If you have to take a lickin',

Carry on and quit your kickin',

Don't give up the ship!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My Little Girl Joined The Navy

Today is Veterans Day. Americans are remembering all military veterans on this day. Today is a special Veterans Day because it falls on 11-11-11.
We should also remember the military families who have loved and supported our veterans during their time of service. It is not easy for the husbands, wives, children and parents that are left behind.

Thank you to all the families for their support, love and prayers.




My Little Girl Joined The Navy
Our military experience goes back ten years ago. It was the summer of 2001 and my daughter had been out of high school for two years. She had attended junior college and had worked several part time jobs but had not really decided on a definite path for her future.

Cindy came home one day and said that she had been talking to some Navy recruiters. I was so shocked that I nearly fell out of my chair. I had no idea that she was considering military service. I have to say that I was not real crazy about the idea of my daughter entering the service. She was my only child and I was very protective of her. I did not want to let her go.

Cindy left for boot camp during the last week of September, 2001. This was just two weeks after 9/11. The recruits do not have very many opportunities to write or call family members during the basic training period. I was anxious and afraid that something bad was going to happen to her.

I had met the local Navy recruiters several times before Cindy left. One day, I went into their office and asked if they could obtain any information about how she was doing. I told them that I hadn't heard from her for over a month and I didn't know if she was dead or alive. One of the recruiters looked at me and said, "Oh, she is not dead. If she was dead, a guy with a Bible would show up at your house." Well, that really made me feel better. [NOT!]

I remember going to church and feeling so anxious and worried about my daughter. I suddenly felt the Lord speak to my heart. He said, "Where is your faith, my Child? I am taking care of Cindy just like I have always taken care of you."

I started to feel better when I received an invitation to attend Cindy's graduation from boot camp. In November, 2001, we traveled to Chicago and witnessed my little girl's graduation. It was a wonderful weekend and I was able to shed a heavy burden of worry and anxiety.

Cindy went on to serve four years of service in the Navy. She fell in love with another sailor, got married and had a child during the time she was in the Navy. I guess you could say that I sent one child into the Navy and got three back! I will always be a proud Navy Mom.

On this Veterans Day, please remember the military families.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

War

Today is Veteran's Day.  The picture above is a postcard that was issued during World War I.  This poem is dedicated to all who have served our country.

War

War is a performance staged by the "Angel of Sin"
When he opens his theater and invites everyone in;
The chief actors engaged are "Power" and "Greed"
Which have flourished for years on a poor people's need.

A great many characters must put on this play,
"Selfishness" first has a long prologue to say,
Then bold "Authority" rushes out to be shown
And "Hatred" springs up, by evil tongues sown.

In the tragedy, "Beauty" alone has no place,
And "Truth," despairing, stands hiding her face,
While "Hope," "Love" and "Charity" are striving, each one,
With the players to see that the "Right Thing" is done.

The scenery used is fair places laid waste,
Homes broken up in disaster and haste,
Children dying of hunger, mothers frantic with fears,
A background of sorrow, of blood and of tears.

The stage is the "World", and millions of men
Are engaged in the cast, and none can tell when
The performance will end, the curtain rung down
On the "Angel of Sin" with his reign overthrown.

Oh! May the time come and may it come soon,
That, the tragedy over, we are granted the boon
Of "Security" and "Peace" which "Victory" has won,
Then "Hope" will abide because "Justice" was done.

Poem by Lavina M. Bodley (Wandering And Wondering, 1932)