HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. SEMPER FI! Here is my sea story for the Marine Corps Birthday: Happy Marine Corps birthday Marines. In 1977 my amphibious ship USS Charleston LKA 113 was berthed in Charlotte Amalie Virgin Islands. CO troops embarked Marines and ships company were gathered on the flight deck for a Marine Corps birthday ceremonyplete with cutting a cake with the ceremonial sword. The CO Troops was in full regalia, and the ceremony was Marine Corps high and tight. As we began the ceremony, a flotilla of sailboats pulled into marina next to us--they had completed an around the Islands race and were in a festive mood. So festive in fact, that young women on the boats were climbing in the rigging, undressing in various states, and throwing water balloons at our ship. CO troops was not angry, and in fact he told the troops to about face the channel where the sailboats were and for officers to render salutes with swords. I do not think those people really understood the seriousness, but they really loved the salute rendered by the Marines with swords. Really really well executed, very classy. Afterward I asked CO Troops why he did such a classy thing. He replied that it was not his first choice and he almost had the troops drop trou and show their back sides to the sailboats and the women,,,,,,,,and if it had been any day of the year other than the Marine Corps birthday,,,,,,,he would have done just that. However, he went on to say, because it was the Marine Corps birthday he did the second best thing. Later the rather wealthy sailors and crew on the sailboats, came over to the ship and invited the wardroom and chiefs to party with them at the Marina that night. One of the best Bacchanalian events in which I have ever participated, and the origin of several other sea stories that cannot be told in public. Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot, but this day will he remember,,,with advantages..... I really enjoyed my Gator Freighter days. Semper Fi
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 00:39:59 +0000
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