Farewell, war fighters (August 29, 2007)

 Written August 29, 2007, while standing Force Protection Action Officer in Port Kelang, Malaysia. Delivered June 2008, Yokosuka Naval Station, Officers' Club.

I had always wanted to be in the navy, believe it or not, since at least seventh grade.  I gave it my best shot and realized many times that it was not for me.  For many more details, I can mail you a copy of the book or direct you to the website.  And now it’s time to move on.  Everybody will have or has had their own experiences and will make his/her own conclusions about life in the navy.  And I respect that.

To all the avowed and secret members of the JOPA (Junior Officer Protection Agency):  Stay strong.  And remember, especially you James, you will survive.

And to everyone: I’ve been told by several people over the past four years that “at the end of the day, we are war fighters.”  I’ve heard my chief say to our people, “at the end of the day, DCA and I wear the khaki and what we say goes.”  I’ve heard, specifically several years ago when I was on my way to my own captain’s mast, “at the end of the day, he is the captain and what he says goes.”  And I’ve been told after the many times I’ve failed, “at the end of the day, it’s all about results.”

You may believe all this, and that is fine.  I do not believe it, however.

I believe at the end of the day the only thing that matters is that you tried your best.  I believe at the end of the day, there is no difference between the captain and me, between me and Fireman Martinez, between the Malaysian guy hooking up the CHT barge and you, between the Japanese SRF worker and the XO, and between you and me.  At the end of the day—or at least at the end of my day—we are not war fighters.  At the end of the day, we are human beings.  And we are all we have.  

I only hope I can remember this for the rest of my life.

And so, I end with this favorite prayer of mine, which is not only for my fellow JOPA members, but also for the department heads, warrants and LDOs, XO, and Captain, their wonderful families, (and even for the new folks we are welcoming this evening):

Mighty God, Father of All

Compassionate God, Mother of all

Bless every person I have met

Every face I have seen

Every voice I have heard

Especially those most dear;

Bless every city, town, and

Street that I have known,

Bless every sight I have seen,

Every sound I have heard,

Every object I have touched.

In some mysterious way these

Have all fashioned my life;

All that I am,

I have received.

Great God, bless the world. Amen.

    

While I won’t miss the navy, I am grateful that our paths have crossed and I hope 

they will again in the future.