Wednesday, January 27, 2016

As A Little Child...

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mark 10:13-16 (King James Version)
Earlier this month, as you all know, I traveled to Sandy Eggo. I've posted some pictures of some the places we visited but have yet to reveal exactly why we went there.

It all has to do with that young lady in the opening photo, she is Your Humble Scribe's youngest granddaughter, the newest member of our extended famiglia.

We traveled from Michigan, from Little Rhody, from Virginia, and from parts further north in California. On a warm Saturday morn, in the waters of San Diego Bay, we boarded the mighty aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. (It was the first time we'd seen the kids, their spouses, and all four grandkids in one spot. Only The Sealawyer missed the trip, for he had classes to attend and a sick pooch to babysit.)

The TR, as she is known in the Navy, CVN-71.

She's tied up to have some work done on her, her crew was mostly ashore on that fine Saturday. We had her pretty much all to ourselves...

The Flight Deck

Father Bill, the former chaplain of the USS Ronald Reagan, and who also provided spiritual support and comfort to the men and women of the USS George Washington on her recent trip around South America, had agreed with my son-in-law to perform a baptism of Big Time and The WSO's youngest. The wee lass I like to call L'il Sweetie.

So on that morning, we gathered in TR's chapel, to celebrate the christening of this gift from God.

Godmother and Babe

Big Time read a passage from the Gospels.
Father Bill instructed the parents and godparents.
And the family of Christ received the babe into its loving arms.

While in some traditions the baby is christened either under the ship's bell or using the ship's bell as a font, here a simple brass font was used. My granddaughter's name will be inscribed upon the ship's bell and she will be a part of TR for all it's days.

Note the names inscribed on USS Normandy's bell.
Boatswains Mate Seaman Recruit Marcel Cochran shines the ship's bell aboard USS Normandy (CG 60). (U.S. Navy photo by Midshipman 1st Class Seth Chung/Released)

It was a day to remember. Yesterday was a day to sing of those who went before, today is a day to sing of this young child, may her future ever be bright. As bright as the ship's bell, as bright as that lovely day in San Diego Bay.

The proud grandparents.
The proud parents, godparents, and big sister.
Posing with Father Bill, who performed an excellent service. Even the kids didn't fidget.
Much...
The godparents with their godchildren.
And again...
The smiles were many that day, though Little Bit seems ready to go ashore.
The proud godmother with her goddaughters.
Big sister and the cousins contemplate the events of the morning.

Sandy Eggo skyline.
USS Midway in the sun.
Proud grandpa strikes a pose, trying to look all salty.

Hey Big Time! What do staff officers do on cruise?

It was a lovely day, nearly perfect in every way.




36 comments:

  1. A beautiful, beautiful post. Thank you for sharing that very special day!

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  2. Dang, had a little allergy problem when reading this post.
    Like Chickenmom said, Thank you for sharing.

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  3. Lots of smiles, even from that old salty guy.

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  4. I zoomed in on the Midway pic. I noticed the Boarding Steps are down on all the jets. I thought Murph was snowed in, did you have anything to do with it?


    Seriously, Great pics of a great family. Congratulations to all.

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    1. I have bee sworn to secrecy. Murph has his ways...

      Thanks Juvat.

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  5. Ah, great post Sarge. A little dusty in here this morning.

    The last time I was in that space on TR the parents and godparents were just little kids. And even longer ago than that, I was part of the crew that made the very first landing on TR, not all that far away from where those children are gathered on cat one. That's a very cool picture in my book.

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    1. Thanks Shaun.

      I did wonder at the time how many folks I know had been in those spaces.

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  6. Congrats to you and the family. Sounds like a beautiful and pretty unique service, and an outstanding way to welcome her into the faith.

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  7. That's a great reason, and a wonderful post. Well done, Sarge. And that reminds me, I haven't spent enough time with haze gray & nonskid under my feet...

    L'il Sweetie looks exactly that, my friend. Congrats to the whole crew!

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    1. She is pretty special. She smiles a lot, with good reason I think.

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  8. I keep remembering chasing the Midway during CarQuals, wondering it she'd ever be still...
    ...and there was no bridge to Coronado.

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    1. Looking at the map that looks like a long haul before the bridge was built.

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  9. Hate to be the skunk at the party, but sitting here, thinking of all those souls who built and fought the Midway, if they could see the state of our once great, proud Navy and nation now, they'd all be saying--if the dead could but speak--"we sacrificed all for this???"

    It is to weep--and alas not for the future--for the future is unfortunately now HERE!

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    1. You're speaking truth there Virgil, nothing wrong with that.

      I'm hoping we can still turn this around.

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  10. Replies
    1. It's certainly is, even better to be among them.

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  11. Congrats to all, that is a special day, and one that will always be remembered by the families involved!

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    1. Truly memorable, the reason for the event AND the venue.

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  12. She's a real beauty! Stand proud, Grandpa. I know I don't have to tell you to
    enjoy that special blessing. You have a great looking family!!

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    1. Thanks Russ, she's a treasure, as is her big sister and her two cousins.

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  13. What a delightful excuse to pack up all your cares and woes and head for Sandy Eggo in mid winter. Of course, any old excuse would suffice but your's was special.

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    1. Any excuse to head to Sandy Eggo in winter is good, like you say though, this one was delightful and special.

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  14. Back in '07, we brought the Minnow onboard Old Salt- aka USS NIMITZ for his First Reconciliation, presided over by Fr. Dan Reardon- the Warrior Priest. Another quiet Sunday as you described, crew mostly gone, Chapel all to ourselves. Nice day it was, as Sandy Eggo spring times are wont to be. I loved it, and my son remembers it well. Thanks for bringing back that memory, and telling us about your new one.

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    1. Although yours was a Saturday of course. Hope you got a chance to take the little ones to the wardroom. My kids loved the dog machine and all-you-can-drink hot chocolate.

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    2. So in some ways the Minnow and L'il Sweetie are kinda-sorta cousins in an "we were christened on a Nimitz-class carrier" kind of way.

      And FWIW, Sandy Eggo ain't too bad in late January either, said the guy coming from 20 degree Little Rhody.

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    3. Dog machine? All-you-can-drink hot chocolate?

      The WSO and Big Time shall hear of this! I had no ideer (to quote Buck hisself), I am aghast, I am appalled, I claim ignorance.

      Seriously though, I would love those things. (FWIW I had Christmas dinner aboard the Ike some years ago. The food was superb, the coffee even better. I also got to visit the wardroom while underway on the Ike. Then it was just coffee, still good though.)

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  15. Really a little cutie. And speaking of little cuties, I was surprised at the picture of the proud grandparents. That's the lovely missus? Looks more like she should be your daughter. Whoa, dude, every man should be so lucky..............

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Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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