Brookhaven Fields Civic Association (BFCA) - Takes Me Back to When I Enlisted in '68

A great friend and retired AF General sent me the below poem which was written by a sailor from the Korean War era. So much of what he writes I remember. I was moved by his writing and to be honest, choked up on the final 4 lines. See, I was a sailor for 29 years (12 active/ 17 reserve) and although I never made it to sea I never the less spent countless hours manning the watch...

I so love my country... We have come a very long way: some good, some bad. So what happened, and why do so many hate her? She has stood by so many in good times and bad. Gone the world over for healing. Stood beside so many who had no where to go for protection and aid, yet so many have such harsh words for her "good" people and the good things that have been accomplished. Surprisingly, these harsh words aren't by people outside our shores, but here within our shores.

We have lived the past and many of us are seeing accounts of our history changed... why? And from events that have occurred during the past few months are we seeing the future? Are we seeing what is in store for ourselves and our children? What lies ahead will depend on each individual in America. Freedom and liberties are maintained by hard work, by blood, sweat & tears... it doesn't come without a price tag and it doesn't mean some can pay while others get a free pass. And it doesn't mean our property and monies, which we worked so hard for our entire life, should be stolen from us and our children. Laws are meant to be the same for everyone, especially those who represent us. That word "represent" is very important. Government works for us not the other way around and they are not to be making laws that further divide our country. Period... there is no debating that fact! The word "change" and "hope" we have been hearing better not be for the purpose of their hope in changing this nation from a free country to an enslaved country.

How important is freedom and who's manning the watch today? Even though this poem doesn't directly related to the above, after reading the poem I was moved to write what I was thinking...

Enjoy the poem...
Bruce I. Swartz, CTTCS USNR Retired

Come gather round me lads and I'll tell you a thing or two,
about the way we ran the Navy in nineteen fifty two.

When wooden ships and iron men were barely out of sight,
I am going to give you some facts just to set the record right.

We wore the ole bell bottoms, with a flat hat on our head,
and we always hit the sack at night. We ever "went to bed."

Our uniforms were worn ashore, and we were mighty proud.
Never thought of wearing civvies, in fact they were not allowed.

Now when a ship puts out to sea, I'll tell you son – it hurts
when you suddenly notice that half the crew is wearing skirts!

And it's hard for me to imagine, a female boatswains mate,
stopping on the Quarter deck to make sure her stockings are straight.

What happened to the KiYi brush, and the old salt-water bath?
Holy stoning decks at night - cause you stirred old Bosn's wrath!

We always had our gedunk stand and lots of pogey bait.
And it always took a hitch or two, just to make a rate.

In your seabag all your skivvies, were neatly stopped and rolled.
And the blankets on your sack had better have a three-inch fold.

Your little ditty bag ……it's hard to believe just how much it held,
and you wouldn't go ashore with pants that hadn't been spiked and belled.

We had scullery maids and succotash and good old S.O.S.
And when you felt like topping off - you headed for the mess.

Oh we had our belly robbers - but there weren't too many gripes.
For the deck apes were never hungry and there were no starving snipes.

Now you never hear of Davey Jones, Shellbacks, or Polliwogs,
and you never splice the mainbrace to receive your daily grog.

Now you never have to dog a watch or stand the main event.
You even tie your lines today - - back in my time they were bent.

We were all two-fisted drinkers and no one thought you sinned,
if you staggered back aboard your ship, three sheets to the wind.

And with just a couple hours of sleep you regained your usual luster.
Bright eyed and bushy tailed - you still made morning muster.

Rocks and shoals have long since gone, and now it's U.C.M.J.
THEN the old man handled everything if you should go astray.

Now they steer the ships with dials, and I wouldn't be surprised
if some day they sailed the damned things - from the beach computerized.

So when my earthly hitch is over, and the good Lord picks the best,
I'll walk right up to HIM and say, "Sir, I have but one request
let me sail the seas of Heaven in a coat of Navy blue.
Like I did so long ago on earth - way back in 1952”

Note: Bruce Swartz is an Online Business Developer”, identifying resources, tools and solutions for small- and midsize-businesses as well as "Online Shoppping". Bruce is also a member of the BFCA serving as Web Administrator. He also provides Community Service Bulletins such as the MEGAVOTE in order to ensure the community is able to track what our elected representatives are doing so our community can better hold them accountable for their votes and actions.


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