Birmingham (SSN 695) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 42 text:

UP UP AND AWAY MY A S.@B 2300AD. MopeL £0 Cob and his true lo e, jullie. The Over the lliil Gang rides again E;-:;x-ji., .i- -. :. T ' ii i fci ififc i

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I told you the main engines would go next. How many miles to Norfolk ' ' Ha, ha, I ' m not mad, I ' ve always been this way. You just never noticed. You know, Eng, when I grow up want to be just like you With just twenty-three days ' til Norfolk It was spread thru out the boat The morale and spirit was high With the officers, the crew and the goats We had made our long run Our time we ' d put in Our presents were bought To take back to our kin Just biding our time .And punching holes in the sea Waiting to out chop And Lisbon yet to see About sixteen hundred We went to P. D. Copying N.AVSAT and broadcast In a very rough sea Captain to radio! Cried the radio room guys .And when the captain came out There were tears in his eyes He read and he re-read But the message would not change To not to have to break this news I ' d welcome a case of the mange He picked up the mike .And with trembling lips he said Home for Christmas we won ' t be We ' ve been extended instead. ' ' April Fools? asked the helmsman It can ' t be! cried the crew No joke, said the captain I ' m afraid that it ' s true. Our traditions are strong .And our pride runs very deep If our presence is needed Then our position we ' ll keep We all miss our loved ones And they all miss you But they find consolation in knowing That it ' s a job we must do Worry not for your family For they aren ' t alone The wives help each other ■And squadron is always by the phone So take heart, my submariners For we ARE a strong breed This one minor obstacle We shall overcome and succeed In the cold of the winter Toward .Norfolk we ' ll head And what better weather is there For you and your mama to be in bed? The Bald Baron

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Looks like Murph picked up another oinker It ' s amazing how some of these carvings look almost alive. Look out, you see the tugs anywhere? NEW YEAR ' S Eve Here I sit on New year ' s Eve, Wishing 1 was Home on Leave For there is no place worse for me. Than on a ship out to sea. I stand my watch with Silent thoughts, Wishing for Something, I know not what, perhaps a Chance to see the New year ' s Day, With my family, come what may. I realize though, I ' m Luckier than most, I ' m with some friends, and that ' s no boast. Some I ' ve known but three short years. Three Short years I ' ll treasure Dear. We ' ve had some times - those friends and I , Pleasant thoughts abound. For when I found I needed them. My friends were all around. yes, here i sit on New year ' s Eve, perhaps I really don ' t need that leave, For there ' s far worse places for me to be. Than on a ship out at sea. Kevin Bronson