I joined my family in Suffolk, Va on Monday for the Military Honors burial ceremony honoring my grandfather. It was difficult as all the busyness subsided and the meaning of the ceremony sank in. Though, through tears, we were also reminded that this is a celebration. A faithful servant of our Savior has gone home into the loving arms of his Master. Having observed my grandfather, it came as no surprise but the comments of his pastor were a comforting reminder: there was no doubt in his mind whom he served and where he was going. My aunt commented that Papa wasn't afraid to die. He knew what awaited him. I am so blessed to have this servant leader as the family patriarch.
The ceremony itself was very fitting bringing in both his distinguished military service and his love for Biblical theology and service in the Episcopal church.
My dad's closing remarks carry so much meaning. They captured my grandfather, our Papa, so beautifully. He quoted heavily from a passage known as "The Watch" often recited at the retirement ceremonies of members of the US Coast Guard.
'The Watch'
For those of you who have served in the military, or at home, you know the significance of the “The Watch.” "The Watch” signifies the duty assignments stood (at sea) and the extra vigilance, shown by that sailor.
[Another tradition is] The Passing of the Watch
“Boatswain's Mate, ... stand by to pipe the side." This order has been passed on naval ships from the early 1500's through today ... Spanish, French, Dutch, English. Yes, every navy in the world has used the Boatswain's Call and Side Boys to bring aboard or send ashore its officers, visiting officers and all visiting dignitaries. The Boatswain would pipe the side as the Side Boys lay on or lay off the lines used to raise or lower the boarding platform.
The ship's master or Captain would extend this privilege and honor to port officials to ensure a good berth for his ship while in port. It was not uncommon for the Commanding Officer of a naval ship of the line to order up the jolly boat, eight strong Sailors to man the oars, a Boatswain and Side Boys ... to send an old shipmate and fellow officer ashore ... never to sail a naval ship again.
"All Hands on Deck!", was passed. The crew fell in at parade for muster, ... the Commanding Officer would make a speech ... telling about the retiree's service, ... the great battles fought upon the open sea, ... the victories ... the storms weathered, ... voyages to strange and distant lands, ... ports of call visited that others can only dream about, ... and we would speak of shipmates left behind.
Then the Commanding Officer would present the retiree with a fine sword, .. officers would present him with a brace of fine pistols, a rifle, or a musket. Then the crew would present him with a sea chest, bound in leather and brass, lined with cedar. This was to protect the uniform he wore so proudly those many years. These gifts were to remind him of the ships he sailed, ... the ports he made, ... and above all, to remind him of the crews with whom he served those many years. The Boatswain's Mate would 'Stand Tall' with the Side Boys, the crew was called to "Attention", ... then the retiree would step to the Quarterdeck, salute the Commanding Officer, ... and ... for the last time, request permission to go ashore.
Permission granted, the retiree would step onto the platform and salute the flag he so proudly served, ... as the Side Boys lowered away to the Boatswain's Call. As the jolly boat pulled away from the side, ... the ship's Gunner would fire a final salute from the ship's main battery, ... the retiree would be seated in the stem sheets of the jolly boat, ... going ashore for the last time.
Today, ... we heave to, ... stop all engines, ... lay about smartly, ... drop the anchor, ... and stand by to honor one of our shipmates, ... a shipmate going ashore, ... to honor those years served, ... the guidance, ... the leadership, ... the expertise, ... and ... above all, ... the friendship that this shipmate … son …brother … husband, father has given these past 87 years.
Aye mates, ... for many years, ... this Sailor has stood the Watch, ... while some of us lay about in our bunks at night, this Sailor has stood the Watch, ... while some of us were in school still learning our trade, this Sailor stood the Watch, ... and yes, before some of us were even born into this world, this Sailor stood the Watch. In those years when storm clouds of war were brewing on the horizon of history, ... this Sailor stood the Watch.
Many times he would cast an eye ashore to see his family standing there, needing his guidance and help, ... needing that hand to hold during hard times, but this Sailor stood the Watch, ... he stood the Watch for these 87 years. He stood the Watch so that we and our families and our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly, in safety ... each and every night, ... knowing that a good Sailor stood the Watch. Stood the watch in service to his family, his country, and above all, to his God and to our Lord Jesus Christ in faith.
So, today we are here to say, ... "Shipmate, the Watch stands relieved," ... relieved by those you have trained, ... guided, ... and led.
Shipmate … Dad … you stand relieved.
Mom, We have ... "the Watch."
Because the project moved onto the old Naval base, the facility already exists! It's wonderful that the actual structure was provided as part of the 87 acres granted by the city but it did mean that there was not an actual "ground breaking" just a symbolic turning over of some fun orange dirt!
