Thei first time they bring the Stingray out for service (prefaced by Cmdr Dodge's 'Let's kick this pig!') I always get a thrill, listening to the Navy hymn 'Anchors Aweigh'. They build the suspense to the song very well, going through no less than three fanfares. This is my favorite part of the movie, when they get the old boat up to speed, while the Navy Choir sings 'Anchors Aweigh.' Stirring.
shareYes, I'm in NROTC and we watched this movie today because we had nothing better to do. Some of the other Midshipmen started humming Anchors Aweigh. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Navy's Birthday (OK there are better ways.)
shareI always get chills at that part in the movie, and you're right about building the suspense. Kinda of a corny thing to get goosebumps over but hey, who cares?
For England, for home, and for the prize!
The stingray is a rustbucket! Anchors away does that to anybody i guess.
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The thrill of something of that size moving, and seeing the mighty ocean which lay before us, combined with the waving of the American flag on our fantail made me feel like I was at the tip of the mighty fist of American seapower...WOW!!!
When I was aboard Halsey (CG-23), Everytime we left port you could barely discern any real movement of the ship as she headed out of the harbor.
But then there is that moment. As you are clearing the Harbor Channel and you catch that first oceanic swell, then you know, you are at sea. Once clear of the First Sea Buoy, The Captain opens her up and brings the ship up to full steam and it is a thrill to be back on the fantail during a full power run and hard turn. heeling opposite the turn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzveUz-WRGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub6hQGW4X80
I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!
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Well, in the Merchant Marine they used to say the snipes (black gang, engies, whatever they are called elsewhere) had it good. All they had to worry about was the heat, where we dealt with snow, rain, hair, cold, heat, wind.... but seeing where you were and what was going on was great too. Many an engineman would ask me, "where are we at now?"
shareI feel I need a tetanus shot just from looking at it.
shareI agree with you that Anchors Aweigh is a very stirring military song – I think it gets the blood pumping more than “The Halls of Montezuma”; The Caisson Song”; or “Off we go into the Wild Blue Yonder.”
But the song that really gets to me and just about everyone else (unless they’re dead) is “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” also known as the Navy Hymn. I believe it is sung during not-so-good times (when they are praying at the start of a mission or the onset of an actual fight, that nothing bad happens to the ship or the men) and in downright bad times (for a Navy funeral or a memorial service.)
If you get a chance to hear the Midshipmen from Annapolis sing this song (usually on PBS around Christmas time), try to give it a listen.
When I was a contractor working in Naples, Italy for six years, one of the sailors was involved in a motorcycle accident and died before he could get to a hospital.
At the memorial service, the hospital Commanding Officer, a Captain whose name escapes me, got up to speak and could barely get through her eulogy without crying. The Chaplain spoke next, and he broke down several times. But when the organist started to play “Eternal Father”, the entire congregation lost it.
As I left the memorial service with an Italian friend, he asked me if that particular hymn usually affected people attending funerals that way. I said that it usually did. He then asked, “Why do they play it if it makes everyone start crying and feeling worse?” Legitimate question. I said that my guess was that it is a tradition and the Navy is BIG on traditions, and that probably, all sailors "expect" that hymn to played at their funeral. In fact, even though I was in the Air Force, I am going to request The Navy Hymn be played at my grave site as well as Schubert’s "Ave Maria". I would love to be invisible, sitting on my coffin, watching everyone boo-hooing all over the place! (Assuming that people actually show up).
Here is the first stanza for the Navy Hymn (Eternal Father):
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
Cats are delicate dainty animals who suffer from a variety of ailments ... except insomnia.
Almost as stirring was an experience I had while waiting for the ship "Bonhomme Richard" to pull out for its trip to Japan to replace the "Essex." The tune for "Colors" came over the loudspeakers (it was 8AM)and watching all the US flags being raised on the flagpoles on the sterns of all the ships docked at 32nd Street Naval Base in San Diego was very stirring in the bright sunlight across the San Diego Bay.My son and I came to attention in a hurry but I still managed to move my eyes around looking at the gorgeous spectacle.My daughter-in-law was stationed on the "Bonny Dickie" at the time as a Machinist's Mate 3rd Class. Valentine's Day of all days.
shareThere are a great many things that strikes to the heart of those of us who have served.
Our Service branch's song (Anchors aweigh for the Navy) is one of them.
The call to colors, Our National Anthem, and Taps, for all service branches.
Many people who have not served, will not serve, and think that the military is beneath them think that it's trite, or overly patriotic, but patriotism is real. and it is felt strong by those of us who choose to serve.
Other things are more particular but get your blood stirring just the same.
For me, I cannot help but get the adrenaline going and blood pumping and get a little anxious in any film about the Navy when General Quarters is sounded. It's drilled into us. When that Alarm goes off, it's a Pavlovian response almost.
At other times it's just small things that no one else seems to notice. things that ring true to the point of transporting you back in time and space to those days.
For me, there is one particular scene in the film, Crimson Tide.
It's when CPT Ramsey and LCDR Hunter are arguing about the crew's morale.
The Captain gets on the 1MC to address the crew. the scene cuts to a berthing compartment as the captain starts his address, "This is the captain..."
Just the whole vibe and atmosphere, the sounds and feelings in that scene are real. The sound of the 1MC in the background over the noise in the compartment, the sudden rush to silence all other noise to listen up to the unexpected announcement. It all rings so true to those who've lived the life.
I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!
There are a great many things that strikes to the heart of those of us who have served.
First on my places to visit if ever I get to DC.
I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!
We had just returned to Norfolk after a 6 month Med deployment of long hours, hard work and most liberty ports closed to us because we were a nuclear boat. For the first couple of weeks back we were allowed a generous liberty schedule and I scooted up to DC to do the tourist thing. Only chance in my life I had ever had for that.
I've never had occasion to go back. But if I ever do, high on my must visit list is the US Navy Memorial.
***
It's easier to be an individual than a god.
First off, I'm saving for a trip back to Sandy Eggo.
Gotta Visit Ft. Rosecrans Nat Cem.
Then hoist a few Guinness at Shakespear's for Captain LeFon.
http://blog.usni.org/2012/03/07/a-remarkable-man-has-stepped-into-the- clearing-captain-carroll-lefon-usn-ret-1960-2012
I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!
You're exactly right.
Many people who have not served, will not serve, and think that the military is beneath them think that it's trite, or overly patriotic, but patriotism is real. and it is felt strong by those of us who choose to serve.