Four years ago on this very weekend Your Humble Scribe and his tribe traveled to Sandy Eggo for the baptism of the youngest member of the tribe. Above you can see my lovely daughter, The WSO, and her dad, that would be me. Of course I'm wearing an Air Force ball cap with my suit. Note that I also have an Air Force tie bar on my tie with my older Master Sergeant stripes (six down, as opposed to the newer five down, one up, or "Senior Technical Sergeant" as some wags would have it.) We are standing upon the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) with the lovely Sandy Eggo skyline in the background.
The carrier was in port for various reasons, mostly having to do with renovations and repairs. So it was an ideal spot for a baptism. Seems that son-in-law Big Time had served with TR's* Catholic chaplain while both were assigned to USS Enterprise (CVN-65). So he asked and Chaps consented, so baptizing the tribe's youngest into the Catholic faith occurred aboard the TR. Which was, in a word, awesome.
According to tradition -
The bell's connection to religious origins continues. Originating in the British Royal Navy, it is a custom to baptize a child under the ship's bell; sometimes the bell is used as a christening bowl, filled with water for the ceremony. Once the baptism is completed, the child's name may be inscribed inside the bell. The bell remains with the ship while in service and with the Department of the Navy after decommissioning. In this way, an invisible tie is created between the country, the ship and its citizens. (Source)Sure enough, our little one now has her name inside the ship's bell of USS Theodore Roosevelt -
Oddly enough, her nickname is Belle. Belle's name is in the bell. Heh, it's the little things I find amusing.
Big Time took the photo above, he's now with TR's air wing, preparing to head out to sea for a few (up to eight) months. From USS Enterprise, to shore duty, to USS Theodore Roosevelt, he's been a busy lad. Keep him in your prayers, if you would be so kind.
Speaking of Belle, here she is with her big sister, on that wonderful day back in 2016 -
Geez, has it been four years already?
They grow up so fast...
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| This past Christmas... |
* TR is how the USS Theodore Roosevelt is commonly referred to in the Navy, according to The Nuke. Not the Big Stick as some think.
Ya Sarge couple of right smart looking young'uns there. Thoughts and prayers for their family and Dad coming up. Our 6" to 10" or 8" to 12" predictions/entrails read/bones tossed turned out to be 3", NOT sorry on that! Laptop was in the garage for repairs, out yesterday. Let's hear it for Linux.
ReplyDeleteThey're going to need those prayers, the separations get harder and harder. We've got snow in the offing here, they say 1" to 3", we shall see.
DeleteThey grow fast and keep getting bigger, before you know it they are in high school and getting ready to move out. The Circle of Life continues.
ReplyDeleteThe Circle of Life does continue, as it should.
DeleteFWIW, I've added your place to my reading list, as retired Coast Guard I place you under the Anchors Aweigh category. Seems fitting.
Hey Old AFSarge;
ReplyDeleteI thought that was you in the Santa suit until you added that caveat. Seriously though, that is a cool tradition, I had to explain to my son one time about what tradition means to a servicemember. It is a touch with the past and reinforces the belief that you are part of something larger than yourself. It helps reinforce the selfless service to the country.
Well ya know MrG, I had to add that caveat because I knew at least one person would go there. 😁
DeleteTradition is important, I remember those who went before, hoping that I'll be remembered in turn. Even if not, I'm proud I did my bit and that the progeny saw fit to do theirs. We all fall by the wayside but that which began in 1776 continues.
Sometimes service traditions are all the normalicy one can find in a howling wilderness, whether it be on foreign lands or in some places here at home.
DeleteRoger that!
DeleteLove those Navy traditions. My friend who helped me through the RAG just turned over command of the big stick. Good luck and a quick cruise to Big Time and his/your family
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteThere are some special "perks" for those who served, or were career. Good to see them used. Lovely grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThanks WSF, they're a treasure.
DeleteI'm glad my computer lacks the CMC (Cuteness Measuring Chip) option because the chip would have overloaded on the last photo. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that the baptism could be done aboard ships. That's way past cool.
NOAA's snowfall predictions are bouncing between less than an inch to a bit more.
Big flakes are drifting lazily down, and there's maybe a quarter inch or so on the ground.
Very good post.
Thanks John.
DeleteI guess your weather is moving in this direction. Take as much snow as you like, I don't mind sharing. 😉
It is good to have a visible future, as it reminds one that there is a future. Your future looks very bright.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Big Time will be able to wrangle you a day-cruise when he comes home? If so, see if you can take Tuna with you.
We'll see when that day comes, lots going on over the next year.
DeleteYeah, what Beans said!
DeleteI will keep you in mind Tuna.
DeleteShe's only four? Goodness! She is so independent!
ReplyDeleteVery independent!
DeleteFantastic images. Those little ones have grown a lot in four years! It's a cool thing for me that I've trod those same decks and share that with you and your family. Means a lot somehow. Great post!
ReplyDeleteNaval aviation is a small world isn't it?
DeleteThat's cool, especially the nickname.
ReplyDeleteAnd weird coincidence, my Son-In-Law just sailed yesterday on the TR
My own son-in-law will be flying out soon, he may have left by now.
DeletePrayers for them all!
I have this mental image of some poor sap sticking his head inside a bell with a hammer and letterpunches, the noise it makes, and how deaf he is afterwards.
ReplyDelete(Yes, I realize ships’ bells aren’t that large. But it’s still funny.)
Hadn't thought of the "How," must have been kinda loud!
DeleteWonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed!
DeleteWonderful post! Prayers up for Big Time and the whole family. Beautiful grandkids!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brig!
DeleteI had no idear, about this tradition. We're Baptists, and as y'all know, Baptists don't "baptize" infants. But if I had known, I might have become just enough of a mainline Protestant to do it with my two sons, one of whom reported for duty a day late and a tax exemption short; I didn't even get the freebies from Balboa Naval Hospital for being the first to arrive at the scene of an "accident" some nine months (and the end of a WESPAC) earlier. The little snot.
ReplyDeletePrayers for the Big Stick and her crew and air wings.
Ah, a January 1st baby, but not THE first. The Nuke showed up a day early for the New Year's honor but got in under the wire for tax exemption purposes.
DeleteAmen on the prayers Jim, and thanks.