Saturday, October 13, 2007

Don't Tread On Me


In the Continental Congress, Philadelphia, October 13, 1775:

"Resolved, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruise of three months, and that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall direct.

That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare an estimate of the expence, and lay the same before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel.

Resolved, that another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expence."




Happy 232nd Birthday to the greatest Navy the World has ever known.
May God bless and protect all who sail for Her.
<

24 comments:

portia said...

Happy Birthday, Navy.

I raise a glass to the dedicated men and women who sail the seas on behalf of America, and offer a special toast to the generations of rdrs who have chosen to wear the blue. Thank you.

Now, if we could only get the color of your sox [sic] to match your uniform....

Bottom of the 9th, six even--the Yankees ain't even playing--and I've already chewed off one of my fingernails (guess which one?!)

This is f*cking good baseball.
Almost as good as today's Navy:)

spd rdr said...

Thank you, Red.
Yay baseball.
Go NAVY.

Anonymous said...

What, no V22?!

Anonymous said...

Sea-Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.



I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.



I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like
a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over


****************
And Godspeed to the brave men and women who keep the sea lanes free and at peace. May it ever be so. Especially Son of Rdr.

-Don whatchamacalit

portia said...

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a quiet dream when the long trick's over.

Perfect.

Nice to see your name again, Don. You too, Mr. watchamacilt:)

KJ said...

When do you have the Village People tribute?

Cassandra said...

/high fiving KJ

I get to do that because I grew up Navy and I'm married to Navy Lite :)

spd rdr said...

I'll bet KJ gets seasick on a bass boat.

Pile On® said...

Now that is a serious snark smack down.

It's okay KJ, them bass boats go really fast.

Pooke said...

Go Navy!

Cassandra said...

I'll bet KJ gets seasick on a bass boat.

Uh-oh... :)

/tiptoeing away while surreptitiously trying to get the coffee out of her nostrils...

KJ said...

I have never been sea sick, not even on a boat. And I've been a few bigger than a bass boat.

I can even do the Beast, Beast Jr. and the Vortex back to back to back on a full stomach and 5 beers at Kings Island.

And though I have never been in the Navy, I do know that in the Navy you can sail the seven seas. In the Navy, you can put your mind at ease. Come on people. Make a stand, protect the mother land.

If you like adventure
Don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate
There is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen [heh] fast
Maybe you are too young
To join up today
Bout don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be
Always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea.

And you know it's true.

portia said...

What's a bass boat?

Cassandra said...

What is the big deal about being seasick, anyway?

Excuse me, but I love to sail and I occasionally get seasick. But then I get migraines and I get sicker than a dog when I get migraines. There is really not a d**ned thing I can do about it. I have never actually... well... hurled, even when I've spent the night on a boat. But I have to take dramamine and the whole nine yards.

It's a real hassle, too because I LOVE it the windier and choppier it is. My parents don't like it when the bay is windy but I like nothing better than sailing right before a storm even though (sadly) that's when I tend to feel the worst. But it's exhilarating to feel the wind in your hair and I love when the boat heels over really far :D

My brother hates it. But I love it, and so (I'm proud to say) does my oldest son's wife. That girl is a natural sailor - must be her Norwegian blood. I've never seen anyone take to anything so fast. For a girl from the desert, she picked up sailing like she'd been born on a boat. Too funny.

Cassandra said...

FWIW, last time we went out, my Dad bought me this ridiculously expensive watch thingy that delivers a series of electric shocks on your wrist.

I went sailing with my brother and it was very hot and really rough out (and I had a migraine before I left, which wasn't a good sign). The wrist thing helped immensely. I had to turn it up until it hurt a bit, but it kept me from getting sick.

And now you may feel free to despise me for being a wimp :D Better living through science though, and it beats the hell out of staying home (which I refuse to do).

Pile On® said...

Why is it a big deal?

Because Cass, if you get seasick...

you are like a leeetle girl!

KJ said...

If you ever lose your electrocuting watch Cass, you can just shoot yourself every few minutes with your taser gun. Or you can do what the Viking monks did. They distracted themselves from their sea sickness by bashing themselves in the head with a board containing religious writings.

spd rdr said...

Viking Monks would be a great name for a rock band.

Cassandra said...

They distracted themselves from their sea sickness by bashing themselves in the head with a board containing religious writings.

I think I did that about 5 am Sunday morning...

Oh no, wait. That was a hangover.

KJ said...

Ok, so I have the rock band name. Now to learn to play an instrument.

Cassandra said...

May I suggest a board, containing religious writings? When applied to the head rhythmically, it makes a distinctive sound.

KJ said...

*BAM*

OUCH!

*BAM*

&*%#!*&

*BAM*

{thud]

Anonymous said...

Pie Iesu Domine. Dona Eis Requiem.

spd rdr said...

I appreciate your prayers, monk, however inappropriate at a celebration they may be.