Sierra (AD 18) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE ONE LEFT BEHIND by Sharon K. Ayala I.oving a sailor is not always gay and loving is a high price lo pay. It's mostly loving with nothing to hold. lt's being young and feeling old. It's having him whisper his love to you. It's whispering back that you love him too. Then comes a kiss. a promise ot' love knowing your watched, approved from above. Reluctantly, painfully letting him go while you're dying inside from wanting him so. Watching him leave with eyes I'ull ol' tears. Standing alone with hopes. dreams and fears. It's sending a letter with the stamp upside down to a far away love in a tar away town. It's going to church to kneel and pray and really meaning the things that you say. Days go by and no mail for a spell. You may wait for some word to hear that he is well. Then the letter arrives and giving you joy. You're like a child with a shinney new toy. Weeks are months, months are a year you're awaiting the day you'll have no more fear. Time passes slow. yet its gone very fast. you're barely aware it is here and then its past. Remember he's thinking ol' you every day he's sad and he's lonely for being away. So love him. miss him and try to be braver and always be proud ol' loving a sailor. A LETTER HOME by MM2 Sewell I cannot tell you, child. why I must go away, 'l'o foreign lands on distant shores, across the angry sea. So many things about your life I know that I shall miss. Your childhood years and memories. would be so dear to me, I do not know what I could say. to make you understand. That I must go where I am called. wherever that may be. Though this sacrilicc is great and the daysjust drag along. This agony I must endure to ensure you will be tree. In the cold. dark hours ofthe morning watch. I still see your lace. There is no one l will allow to take you away from me. So many children around this world will not play again. Bastard men with guns and bombs. take away their liberty. The greatest gift I have for you is the sacrifice of my life. This for you I would gladly give to bring about your peace. Know this mv child that verv soon. I will sail no more. The -iob is done. towards home I tum.and fly with urgent speed. Finally. when the pier's in sight. the sun will start to shine. Home at last. to you again. ery no more child lor me.

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ransiting the Cooper River H ,, ,-u-- ...M gi viral

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erica's eam . 1 4iv Q 1 4. i V, :Jw ,gi , 1 A,.gQ'- .Q ' A 9 QQ, S U. 9- 9 X -f ' '1' 92-in --1 M A 1 Ig. k During her December transit across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, USS Sierra and USS America QCV66 J lead a I3 ship battlegroup in a 'V' formation. America Battlegroup Ships USS America QCV 66j USS Sierra QAD l8j USSThorn QDDG 988j USS Groton QSSN 6942 USS Sunfish QSSN 649j USS Monterey fCG 6I Q USS Scott QDDG 995, USS Carr QFFG 52, USS Klakring QFFG 42, USS Normandy QCG 60j USS Savannah QAOR 4, USS Boone QFFG ZBQ JI If