Charles P Cecil (DDR 835) - Naval Cruise Book

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fmrniyui The CaptainyeUed Take in all lines and at 1326 on 4 August 1960 the U. S. S. CHARLES P. CECIL (DDR-835) as underway from Norfolk, Virginia for the Mediterranean. For some it was the first time crossing the pond , for others was the tenth; for all it was exciting. It was a singular thrill to see the stem swing around and the sailors domain retch before us. It is a feeling that only sailors experience a feeling well that we ' re sorry to leave our loved les and our homes, but there ' s something out there and we ' re going to see it, experience it, and let it become a part of As we steamed past Cape Henry, we stretched our necks trying to get a last look at the U. S. and each one tried hide his mixed emotions of sorrow and excitement from the other. Our mission was two-fold. First, we were to be representatives of our country to speak her words, to think her loughts, to show her good faith to all peoples throughout the world. Second, we were to partake in a vigorous operational aining program of exercises with NATO ships. This is what we set out to do, and to do it well. The Quartermaster shouted Thimbleshoals light abeam to port , we hauled down NBBG, secured the Special Sea etail, placed the pictures of our wives and sweethearts close to our bunks and settled down for twenty three long days at ;a until terra firma would once more rear its lovely head. As you thumb through these pages and the memories of the good ports and the bad ones, tlie long hours spent re- leling and replenishing, the Holiday Routines that we seldom saw, Christmas Day at sea, the early morning hours we ere plane guarding, surely you will recall the big and important part that the CECIL played. All of these events proved lat CECIL was always ready, and most of all, kept us SECOND TO NONE .