Decatur (DDG 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 50 text:

ROUTINE R 260001Z MAY 00 PSN 468973H37 FM COMDESRON FIFTEEN TO USS DECATUR INFO COMSEVENTHFLT COMTHIRDFLT COMNAVSURFPAC SAN DIEGO CA 00 01 ZEN COMCARGRU FIVE COMDESRON TWO THREE UNCLAS N03120 MSGID GENADMIN COMDESRON FIFTEEN - MAY SUBJ FAREWELL AND WELL DONE RMKS 1. AS DECATUR PREPARES TO OUTCHOP AND CONCLUDES A SUPERB DEPLOYMENT TO THE WESTERN PACIFIC, WE IN DESTROYER SQUADRON FIFTEEN SALUTE ALL HANDS FOR YOUR EXEMPLARY PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE AND EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT OF OUR FORWARD DEPLOYED MISSION. 2. YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL INTERESTS WAS SECOND TO NONE. AT SEA, THE DECATUR TEAM IMPROVED INTEROPERABILITY WITH ALLIED FORCES, PARTICIPATING IN SHAREM 132 WITH THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA NAVY, EXERCISE BALIKATAN WITH THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NAVY, AND A PASSEX WITH THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY. DECATUR ' S IMPRESSIVE LIST OF DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENTS AND INCIDENT FREE PORT VISITS SERVED TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITHIN THE AOR. CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA, MALAYSIA, FIJI, AMERICAN SAMOA, AND ESPECIALLY GUAM WILL NOT SOON FORGET THE GOOD WILL AND SUPERB HOSPITALITY EXHIBITED BY DECATUR SAILORS. EACH OF YOU CAN TAKE PERSONAL PRIDE IN KNOWING YOU MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TOWARD MAINTAINING A STRONG AND POSITIVE PRESENCE AND COMMITMENT TO PEACE AND SECURITY IN THIS VITAL REGION. 3 . IT HAS BEEN OUR DISTINCT PLEASURE TO HAVE DECATUR SAIL WITH DESRON FIFTEEN. AS YOU RETURN TO A WELL DESERVED REUNION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, PLEASE TAKE WITH YOU OUR BEST WISHES AND SINCERE THANKS FOR A JOB EXCEPTIONALLY WELL DONE. COMMODORE STEVENSON SENDS. BT NNNN 46

Page 49 text:

ROUTINE R 300601Z MAY 00 PSN 482600H20 FM COMCARGRU FIVE TO USS DECATUR INFO COMSEVENTHFLT COMTHIRDFLT ZEN COMDESRON FIFTEEN COMDESRON TWO THREE UNCLAS N04740 MSGID GENADMIN COMCARGRU FIVE SUBJ BRAVO ZULU RMKS 1. AS DECATUR SAILS HOME TO A JOYOUS REUNION WITH FAMILY AND LOVED ONES, I COMMEND THE WARDROOM AND CREW FOR AN OUTSTANDING DEPLOYMENT IN THE SEVENTH FLEET AREAS OF OPERATION. 2. DECATUR ' S PARTICIPATION IN EXERCISES AND ROUTINE OPERATIONS WAS PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY. YOUR STELLAR PERFORMANCE ASHORE IN NUMEROUS PORT VISITS MAINTAINED THE STANDARD OF SEVENTH FLEET. 3. CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB EXCEPTIONALLY WELL DONE. SMOOTH SAILING HOME! 4. RADM TIM KEATING SENDS. BT NNNN 45

Page 51 text:

A Saili)r ' s CioiK Vo Sc;i by GSKC(SW ) Robert Cavalcantc Jr. The time had conic to say gcxxlbyc. As sadincss I ' ll led ihc air. Husbands. i cs and children cried. A httle piece oleach had died. And each one said a prayer. The brovK w as raised, the lines brought in. The lugs uould | )ull her tree. The whistle blew lor all to hear. But not one persim there would cheer. For their Sailor ' s gone to sea. The engines screamed their loiiured songs. As w atches checked the skies. No harm would come to her tonight. For this is sure, the ship could fight. And those u ho sailed her wise. The ship would make her presence known. All nations now would see. The ship was strong and made lor war. Our enemies would know lor sure. They ' d simply leave her be. The time drew near to end the cmise. No longer would they roam. The ship had turned, the crew rejoiced. And cheered as though a single voice. The ship was going home ! i ' he da had come, the rails were manned. As each man s heart had earned. To see their loved ones on the pier. And hear them cry and shout and cheer, Their .Sailor ' s had returned! As days passed on the crew grew strong. Their confidence was high. No enemy could touch her now. None would think to cross her brow. And no one dare to try. Their days grew long and wearisome. The skipper knew the cure. There ' s just one thing to ease the stress. He kneu his crew could use the rest. There ' d be liberty lor sure! The port was in a foreign land. That some hail seen belore. They ' d show the young ones all the sights. And try to keep them out ot fights. Then bring them back onboard. The crew refreshed, the time had come. To sail the ship once more. The lines were heaved and stowed away. In r ecord lime was underway. And sailed away from shore. The sea had all her lad s charms. That caused a man to roam. Far from his home to foreign lands. Far from his lovely lady ' s hands. Into the mists and loam. But sadness fills another ' s heart. Their Sailor ' s gone to sea. To take the w atch from those nou home. And sail about on seas unknou n. To keep our country free.. ! 47