28/05/2023
Posted by dear friend & colleague Dr Richard Hendren 30 year US Navy Submariner.
The line
I saw a line of sailors
they seemed so far away,
their uniforms were brilliant white
despite the cloudy day.
I couldn't see their faces,
their rates left arm and right
but on and on the column grew,
it really was a sight.
Then I saw another group
quite different from the first,
their beards and shaggy hair cuts,
their uniforms the worst.
Playing acey-deucey and smoking ci******es
and endless games of Poker,
drinking coffee, making bets.
I asked a nearby sailor,
"Who are these wretched lads?"
"Oh them, they're Submariners,
they're all together bad,
they hid beneath the surface,
on submarines of old,
their missions were so secret
they never could be told,
and everyone a scoundrel
with language foul and blue,
they just weren't proper sailors
believe me, it's all true."
And suddenly a rush of wind
blew all the clouds away
The Angels came and passed the line
The gamblers stop they're play.
The other Sailors grumbled
"We've been standing in this line
for what seems to be an eternity
and faithful all this time."
The angel said, "Just wait a bit,
your time will come soon well
but these boys get to go home now,
they've done their time in hell."
Their boat went down so quickly
there wasn't time to pray
but God heard every mother
who lost her son that day.
The Submariners rose as one
and walked into the light,
they all went down together,
as one they all took flight.
So pray for submariners
when you think of those we've lost,
the freedom we enjoy today
came with a heavy cost.
Robert W MacPherson, CWO USN Retired
