John Blackshoe Sends: Holiday Greetings!

Holiday Lighting traditions

Sarge shared a view of Chant Headquarters, with its tasteful Yuletide décor. Very traditional, dignified and festive. A wonderful view of how his tribe rolls.

Well, “Sailors have more fun,” as we used to say before being told to shut up and “Be a world force for good.” But, we still have fun at Christmas time, despite the need for folks with ships to keep the lights on and pumps running, sounding and security watches, and a team on the quarterdeck guarding access and welcoming crew and visitors 24 hours a day, every day, fair weather or foul, rain or shine, and holiday or not.

As a sample of sailor funnery, remember, we are an easily amused lot, we traditionally decorated the ships for Christmas, but probably tolerate it for unspecified non-offensive wintertime events these days. Back in the old days, say Vietnam era and earlier, options were limited, funding non-existent, and pretty bland. Remember that was before there were LED lights, so everything was a regular old incandescent bulb, one each, white. Sometimes the supply guys, or electricians came up with red or green lights via creative means, and some greenery were acquired and red bunting provided by the “skivvy waver” signalmen. Usually some junior officer was stuck with pulling all this together, with more or less enthusiasm by him and the guys helping. (Sorry for the non-inclusive sexist descriptors, but this was back before girls were assigned to ships.)

Here is a shot from just down the road from Sarge’s place on 22 December 1960, back when the Navy had a large base in Newport, Little Rhody, and the fleet was 812 ships including 23 carriers. (Today we have 11 carriers and fewer than 300 ships total)

(Uh oh, someone put a CROSS atop the mast on DE-1016!)

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It’s not always snowy at Christmas, at least not in Havana, Cuba.

Officers make up a Christmas band on the afterdeck of USS LOUISIANA (BB-19) , while the ship was at Havana, Cuba, 1906. Among those present are Assistant Surgeon Richard A. Warner; Joseph O. Foster; Joseph Evans; Ensign Harold E. Clark; Lieutenant Robert W. McNeeley; Marine Captain John W. Wadleigh; and Ensign Richard Wainwright, Jr. Name of the mascot dog is not recorded. (Note that liquor was not prohibited aboard ships until 1 July 1914 under General Order 99 from SECNAV Josephus Daniels, just a gratuitous fact, although demon rum may be hiding in this photo.)

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The U.S. Navy ship which has seen the most Christmases is of course USS CONSTITUTION (IX-21). Here she is, decorated for her 223rd Christmas 17 December 2020:

Illuminated tops, gun ports and the Captain’s stern cabin is lit up, and there are colored lights in the shrouds. Most of the yards are struck down.

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And that is so pretty it deserves another:

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Of course, even newer ships celebrate the season. For good little boys and girls, there is the USS IOWA (BB-61) at Norfolk in 1986 with USS SCOTT (DDG-995).

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Just so our winged friends don’t feel left out, remember, Santa can also be a “shooter,” delivering presents to bad people.

Aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) with a F/A-18E from VFA-143 (Pukin’ Dogs) on 24 December 2019.

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And, since we know Sarge is homesick for “his” ship, here is the winner of the “Best Navy Spirit” Award in Sandy Eggo in 2020, USS MICHAEL MANSOOR (DDG-1001).

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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!