Maybe it is time to hang up the spurs.
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So, yeahBy lex, on May 14th, 2008
49 comments to So, yeah |
Targets of Opportunityblog advertising is good for you Credo"Sign on, young man, and sail with me. The stature of our homeland is no more than the measure of ourselves. Our job is to keep her free. Our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. To this solemn purpose we call on the young, the brave, the strong, and the free. Heed my call, Come to the sea. Come Sail with me." -- John Paul Jones "Pardon him, Theodotus; he is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature" --George Bernard Shaw, "Caesar and Cleopatra" "And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."--Friedrich Nietzsche "A kind Providence has placed in our breasts a hatred of the unjust and cruel, in order that we may preserve ourselves from cruelty and injustice. They who bear cruelty, are accomplices in it. The pretended gentleness which excludes that charitable rancour, produces an indifference which is half an approbation. They never will love where they ought to love, who do not hate where they ought to hate."--Edmund Burke “You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours.”--General Sir Charles Napier "Μολὼν λαβέ" -- Leonidas "Blogito Ergo Sum" -- Neptunus Lex Amazon AssociateFor the Effort!Winnar! Subscribe CategoriesPagesTagsacademy
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so when did the squids co-opt the red over white guidon and my saber insignia?
btw, my spurs (literally) get hung up on 5/30. when is your date?
Fast times at Ronald Regan f/k/a Ridgemont High… the mind boggles. Best
Heh. If I recall correctly, this video (or was it one of the others REAGAN crew members did?) ’caused quite a stir in certain quarters… and that was NOT a good thing.
It’s a very funny and well-done video, though.
The stink was apparently from the nuclear community:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20070818-9999-1m18youtube.html
Very well edited – I did wonder when I saw stuff about “reactors” in it.
I think the Captain needs to tone down his office though… I mean, good grief…
I think it comes down to some people with way, way too much time on their hands.
Imagine the outrage from our elected leaders if that video was made with the sexes reversed.
The mind boggles.
IIRC, it was this over this video that the CO got an ass chewin’ due to the nuke stuff getting shown…
And yeah, mighty sexist. My feelin’s are hurt.
I like this one . Yeah, yeah, I know … I would.
But as I recall there was another one, one that could be interpreted as a lot more ‘sexist,’ that really had a lot of people’s … boxers (?) … in a twist. Now that one was really funny.
Actually I think I prefer this one though. But that’s just me.
Maj Mike,
Ronald Regan originally enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1937, and was assigned to Troop B 322 Cav. After gaining his commission (still reserve) he was assigned to 323 Cav. So the guidon and sabres are a salute to her namesake.
Great video. Nice to see that when not raining destruction on some deserving baddies, our men and women still maintain the highest standards of Navy humor while deployed.
MajMike, my last day at work is tomorrow – permissive TAD and terminal leave
hmmm …. didn’t see this piece of tape on the PBS Carrier series …
I’d have rather seen this on Carrier than some of the whining I saw.
Cap’n, I’d give about anything to be at your retirement ceremony. Just to sit in the back, soaking it in. Just wish I could salute you sir, me being a snivilian and all.
What BA said. I’d even wear my blues for that chance.
Your post of your remarks for the retirement of MCPO from a few years back come to mind. I’m sure you’ll have equally deserving comments made for/about you and your family.
Best wishes, Captain.
Thanks, OAM, Byron. I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but I’m not doing a formal ceremony. I know I was “supposed to”, but color this my one little rebellion after all these years. People tell me that it’s not for me, it’s for my family. But we’ve been ashore now for three years, live far away from the fleet and they’ve already moved on, mostly.
I always used to skip the last day of school, too.
The fact of the matter is that I’m terrible at saying good-bye. There’s no way I could get through a ceremony and speech with the least shred of dignity intact. In a way, this whole blogging gig has been a way to try to get my mind around the least 30 years. And it’s taken 5 years all on its own and gotten me nowhere close to having captured all of it.
Then there’s the fact that a retirement ceremony is “all about the guy,” and I’ve never really felt that it was about me. Leaving on that note would have felt inauthentic.
My people are taking me out tomorrow afternoon for a beer. That’s more me than standing in whites listening to Someone Important read off a dubious list of ancient accomplishments.
I’m thinking Guinness.
For strength.
Roachman: thx! OUTSTANDING factoid!!
lex: i’ll hoist one tmrw sometime once the sun is past the yardarm and point it in your direction. sounds as if your ceremony will be similar to mine. enjoy the cold one and walk off into the sunset.
No matter, Lex, in our hearts, we will all know the Navy is just a wee bit smaller. I’ll hoist one myself, sir.
Congratulations, Lex.
And my sympathies, sir.
Somehow I think that will sense to you. I ‘m pretty sure you’ll get the general intent anyway.
While I attained no lofty rank worthy of retirement buffonary, my “ceremony” was a short COD ride to Norfolk, a hitched ride home with a CPO headed my way, and a HUGE kiss at the door from spouse and two (then) little ones. Ceremony enough … and I suspect similar feeling afoot here.
I also, will at the appointed hour, hoist one for Lex … whose words I appreciate and enjoy now, but who as a firstie some 20+ years ago was not one of my (ahem) favorites. 7-3 was a long, long time ago ….
Jaw drops re Lex’s pending retirement non-ceremony..Seriously, Y.G.B.S.M. Are you leg pulling agin?
b2
T’won’t be the same without you, CAPT.
The new kids coming up are OK, mind you.
You fixin on handing over the blog to your relief?
I think this was a pretty well-done vid. The main LT chick is kinda cute, too (for a thicker chick). Also, what’s up w/ the female CAPT? She was kinda hot too!
This vid isn’t as good as the “Move along” vid from the Hawkeye guys though.
CAPT Lex, congrats on your pending retirement, you’ve well earned it.
Thanks for serving.
Then there’s the fact that a retirement ceremony is “all about the guy,” and I’ve never really felt that it was about me. Leaving on that note would have felt inauthentic.
My people are taking me out tomorrow afternoon for a beer. That’s more me than standing in whites listening to Someone Important read off a dubious list of ancient accomplishments.
This doesn’t surprise me…on the one hand. OTOH, yeah…just a lil bit. But only a little.
I’ll hoist one for ya tomorrow, as well, Lex. And at the risk of being redundant… Thanks, yet again.
Congrats, Lex, on a full career.
As for the video, I’m… what’s the trigger word?… Offended! Yeah, that’s it – Offended I am! Sea duty sure has changed a lot in a relatively short time span.
Lex, The first milestone of many to come… and on your own terms as well…a propitious beginning… indeed. Best
Lex, Well done! Thank you, for everything.
Test for “True Indispensability”: Take 1 bucket of cold water, insert your fist. Now, pull it out. If and only if, there is hole left in the water, can you be classified as “Truly Indispensable.” All other results of this test SHALL be construed as a failure at being “Truly Indispensable.”
After your “True Indispensability Test” and Separation, I would just echo the many fine people that came before me, enjoy your life. You’ve paid your dues in full.
Grumpy
I echo Michelle – I get the same feelings. Quite unusual for me, I may just have to hoist a glass to our host tomorrow after work myself – with thanks.
Hope the day is better than you’re expecting, Sir.
Captain, United States Navy, Departing, and may I say, sir, that the Navy will be the poorer.
You are one of those officers that I would be glad to have my son serve under.
Congrats on your Navy service Lex. New missions are always out there.
My very best wishes and heartfelt gratitude to you, Lex, and also to Major Mike. The nation is richer for men like you.
Dang. . .it really is the end.
Fair winds. . .following seas. . .CAVU. . .
You may not have left a mark on the bucket of water, but in the hearts and minds of those who watched you with the water. . .now that is a different story.
We, the occasional readers, know a man’s man when they cross our paths. You, sir, are that man and, although, privately I have given my sentiments, I want to do so publically on your blog turf. Looking forward to the continued visitations herein.
Do NOT let this be the end, Lex, of your wise and witty and always thought-provoking blog. Pleeese. You are part of our personal life-support now. We need your unique, thoughtful, sometimes funny, always realistic take on the Follies of our lives in 2008 and beyond.
And tomorrow, at that time we call The Children’s Hour, when the cat is stowed away with her food dish and we two adults can talk, however briefly, about the silly, sometimes frightening things which have happened that day, we’ll raise a toast to you and Clan Lex, and the next adventures coming down the pike toward you.
May all your pains be “sham-pains…”
Marianne
Lex, If you don’t mind the advice of a 52 year old sergeant, keep looking forward. You’re not through contributing yet, you’re just changing theaters. Congratulations on the milestone and best of luck with the new position!
Lex, Thursday 15 May 08, the beginning of new adventures for you. We will raise a few in your honor at NASWI, basking in the VFR, eighty degree afternoon sun on the deck at the O’Club. I’ll get T.Tack to loft one in your direction. Hope to see you in the system. v/r jug
Any hint on when/where the pints will be hoisted?
You know. For those of us who might like to buy you one?
And for those who can’t be there, don’t forget the big Guinness glass on the main page – you can always buy the Skipper a virtual pint!
Can’t say I blame you for skipping all the pomp and circumstance.
In my last official act in uniform, I got wire-tied into a chair and soaked by a fire truck. In engineering squadrons like mine, that was a sign of honor for the outgoing boss.
That memory is more valuable to me than the awards and nice words.
Enjoy your day, Captain.
I actually have to, you know, get dressed in real clothes and work in the office tomorrow. Pity.
Lex, be kind and give us the time of your unofficial ceremony? Because I’m sure there are a few of us who’d like to re-schedule lunch and spend it eating a fried artery-clogger in some well-lit bar and hoisting a Guinness when the bell rings. Who knows, maybe we can get a few of the other patrons to wish you fare well and following seas too.
Over a fifth of a century, Lex. Have you considered what has happened in that time? How far we’ve come in so many areas? Have you considered how long that is in modern day history? You know, today you’re still a fairly young man (*cough* hardly older than myself) and have another forty to sixty productive years ahead of you. It wasn’t that long ago that 62 was the life expectancy of a man, and in historical terms it wasn’t all that long ago that a Roman centurion looked forward to retirement in his 30′s and a grandfather’s death in his sleep while entering his 40′s.
You’re living in a grand time, Lex. You’ve spent a quarter of your life serving your country, and in the process you’ve secured and provided for your own family well. Now your future is as much yours to make as when you left the Boat School, wet behind the ears and all a-twitter with energy and ambition and not a lick of skill at your next assignment.
Welcome to the civilian world. You’ll find it’s not much different — you’re going to make your own luck, you’re going to sink or swim based upon your abilities, and the good news is now you’re competing against those who couldn’t or wouldn’t make the grade as you have already.
Fair winds and following seas, friend. And welcome back to civilian life. Pardon us if we still call you sir — it’s a term of respect as well as endearment, and for some of us it’s a habit we confer upon our betters.
– Max
I’m thinking about hanging out at my local in the hope that Lex lures the youngsters up to Washington Street. They do have the best Guinness.
[...] Well, it would have been nice to go to Lex’s retirement party, but no, he has to play hooky on the last day of [...]
1300 at Shakespeare’s off Washington would be a fair bet
Gee I wonder – can I get on a flight that will get me to 1300 at Shakespeare’s today???
Lex – thank you for your service to your country and for sharing so much of yourself in your blog. As others have said, please keep the blog going. It’s not your 30 years of service we come here for – it’s you.
And good for you about skipping the big retirement hoo ha. I’m not good at saying good bye either, so I get that.
So – I hit your tip jar with my own “party” for you – don’t drink it all in one place, Sir.
Thank you, sir! In order, for your service, insight, and Mo’Debinably the funny stuff!
Fair Winds, Following Seas, and Tan Colored Foam Cloverleafs
(Oh and this East Coast Hoist will probably contain a Harpoon UFO, Boston Ale, or maybe a Black & Tan – Life’s just too short to drink cheap beer)
Drat. Just as I found a new crop of squid jokes, too…
*raises cup of double-strength espresso in salute*
It’d be a River Horse Belgian Winter Ale, but good ol’ GO Number 1 is in effect over here.
Grats on the retirement Lex, although I’m a tad late expressing my congratulations for your years of service to our country.
I remember when my cousin, a Lt Commander, retired off the Saratoga and it was well worth the trip there to honor him and the people he served with.
I’ll hoist a Guinness in your honor this weekend.
Hi Lex, I skipped on my retirement party as well. The ship was in Subic outbound to the Gulf and I was flying back to San Diego for outprocessing. Everyone was working ’round the clock and didn’t need the extra work to plan a party. The morning Ranger got underway, I was the last one ashore, then I personally cast off the last line. Thats the way to leave. The last four weeks back in SD was just marking time.
Congrats, Cap’n Lex!!
Off topic: Are them *girls* down in the nukular parts of the ship?! Why, when *I* was a nuke, only *men* manned the rakters. In fact, only *real* men, what could figger out all them nuke equations on a manually operated Pickett slide-rule!!
What’s this Navy coming to???
What those above said, better than I could say.
Dang, Cap’n, I thank you.
(and I still think there’s something seriously wrong with the Republic if Lex doesn’t get to be an Admiral)
First, congratulations on your retirement, and best wishes for whatever follows.
Dunno if I concur with no retirement ceremony, though. There’s a certain element of finality to being whistled over the side, which seems to be necessary for a lot of men. And for the rest of us? The man has gone over the side, the Navy will turn to and carry on.