Was it real?

I sit and think back to my youth. Was it really that long ago that I stood and watch the pier move away from the ship and smelled the diesel smoke from the tug boats? I think back and I remember.

First comes the word that we will deploy for a six month cruise. We will be part of first line of defense. But first, there are many things to be done. We load supplies, fill open billings on the crew. For weeks there are working partys to load boxes of can food, frozen foods, spare parts, and last fresh foods. We know that the first thing to go will be fresh milk.

Then as time draws nearer to leaving the medical staff brings out the needles. Time for shots, long lines with sailors with rolled up sleeves, check your name with the list and get shots needed. Get our personal lives ashore in order.

At last the day comes when we leave. Wives, girl friends, sweethearts are allowed to come onboard and spent a last few sad moments with us. Announcements all morning long on the 1MC (intercom). When the commander of the second fleet comes to call we hear, "Second Fleet, arriving", when he leaves, "Second Fleet, departing". Our admiral comes aboard, "Com Crudes Four, arriving". (Commader cruiser/destoryer division 4) . He does not depart, he will sail with us and we become flag ship.

Then come the word on the 1MC, "all guest depart the ship". Time for one last hug, kiss and smile. A band has arrived on the pier in there full dress uniform. The command to "single up all lines", "Man the sea and anchor detail" are heard.

We all line the decks and stand at attention. Then we hear "cast off all lines" There is a loud blast on the ships horn. We are underway, the band starts to play Anchors Aweigh and the tug boats apply power to their engines. Slowly, the pier seems to fall away but it is us, moving away from the pier. We see our love ones waving and throwing kisses to us. In just a couple of mins we are in the ship channel and the tugs leave, we are on our way. We watch the shore disappear and soon we pass the last marker and head for the open sea.

What lies ahead? Drills and more drills. Long night watchs, storms, fair weather and a warm feeling knowing we are defending the land we love, our families. We will do the "hands across the sea" and help the people we visit. Kind of wining the hearts and minds. Yes, the milk runs out in short order, and we get recontitured milk. Lots of us stop drinking milk. Drills and more drills. Just about every other day we refuel from a tanker. Have to have full tanks in case we have to rush off. One never knows what may come up. If we have to leave and take the destoryers with us we will have to refuel them as the tanker can't keep up. So we refuel often.

Did it really happen or was it just a dream? If not for pictures, I would have a hard time knowing it really did happen. Long ago when things were black and white. Good or evil. We were the good guys. I'm glad I lived it.