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Archive: Note from Commander Prestidge to the members |
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 To All Those who were present, Greetings:
It was a real good reunion, a fun reunion, my first-ever Navy reunion, a reunion I'm so glad I was invited to, and attended. It was good to again see you postal clerks that I had the privilege to know and to have served with, and to meet others. It was fun to be among such a group of sailors again, and to briefly, for a few short days, "shoot the shit" with some bonafied shit-shooters.
When I retired from the Navy in 1988, I wrote a poem to express my feelings. Your reunion reminded me of my feelings and of that poem. When I got home from the reunion, I found it in an old cardboard box in my garage and, for the hell of it, share it with you now. Some of the words apply mostly to WestPac sailors because that's all I ever was.
Thank you, Navy, for what you've been to me--the opportunity to serve my Country; the opportunity to go to sea.
Here's to ports of call, liberty, and good times with shipmates ashore; unbelievably good times that I'll remember forevermore.
For steaming days and steamy nights; for cold beer, warm women, whiskey and rum, and a few good fights.
For the good ole days when sailors were sailors--around the edges, a little rough; for bell-bottom trousers, thirteen buttons, white hats and WestPac dragon cuffs.
For old sea dogs who'll never go down for the count because once you ride the WestPac tiger, shipmate, you'll never dismount.
For Yokohama, the Yokosuka Haunch, Paradise Alley in Sasebo, and the liberty launch; for Nancy's in Kaohsiung, the China Fleet, the rooftops in HongKong, Manila and Subic Bay. Ask a WestPac sailor, he'll show you the way.
For Pataya Beach, Pusan, and old Duffy's tavern in Chinhae; For Tokyo, Saigon and Singapore; all of those and many more.
Now, take in all lines or anchors away; sound three short blasts as we back her down and get underway; secure sea detail and set the regular underway watch.
For awhile, forget the beach, the sweeties, the beer, the wine and the Scotch; hit the deck, trice-up, and heave-around, Sailor, we're going to sea.
Stand a taught watch and pay attention to the Captain on the 1MC.
Watch out for sea bats, mail buoys and dolphins at the bow; just ask the Leading Seaman or the Jack of the Dust; they'll tell you how.
There's nothing like a few weeks at sea to erase the differences between you and me; so you're black; so you're white; so you're something else or "other,"
In the Navy, sailor, if you're a shipmate, you're a brother.
So get your ass below smartly and stow your bunk; forget the bullshit, forget the junk; turn your ass to this fine Navy day; if you please sailor, a day's work for a day's pay.
We're sailors, we're shipmates, we're a damn special breed; let the rest of the world take a look at the cut of our jib, kiss our ass, and take heed.
I tell you friends, there's nothing finer--ask the prostitute, ask the Skipper, ask the Judge, ask the bailor; God bless the United States Regular Navy Sailor.
And God bless all of you the rest of your lives. As the submarine sailor says, "May your surfaces always equal your dives."
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ron Prestidge
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