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USS Atherton DE 169 |
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DESTROYER ESCORT - CANNON CLASS |
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• U-853
Life Aboard USS Atherton DE 169
submitted by Carl F. Barth Jr. SM 2/c
CHRISTMAS ABOARD THE ATHERTON |
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T'was Christmas Day in Forty Three Not a strip of land could we see The day is clear, not a cloud in the sky, Just the glint of a tear in everyone's eye. For this is the one day in the year, That most everyone holds so dear, Being away from home is bad enough, But all this pitching and rolling just ain't up to snuff. We had a lovely turkey dinner this Christmas Day, But you were always eating off someone else's tray. First you get your tray out of the rack, Then wait in line for a neck or back, What funny turkeys they serve here, The legs and the breast never appear. Then you move on down the line, Getting your spuds, peas and wine, (ha) Then you get cake and maybe some pie, But if you eat it you're liable to die. Now you wait for a seat at a table, And commence to eat (if you're able) You hold on with both hands, eating as you may, First thing you know, you have somebody else's tray, When you start switching around to get yours back, But all that is left are the bones from the back. |
You get up from the table, scullery bound, The ship gives a pitch, and the deck you have found, Well finally you make it up topside, With a sigh of relief you let it ride. You don't feel embarrassed or lose your pride, For all of your mates are at your side. Now chow is over for all the crew, And the chiefs and officers, "Turn to." You get a brush and a bucket of paint, And start putting it on "where it ain't." After doing this for an hour or two, You can't find a spot that is worn clean through. Now you secure the paint and clean the brush, And head for the fantail before the rush. (The fantail is on the aft end of the ship) Where all the mates gather and do a strip. The Sun is hot this Christmas Day, Where are we I cannot say. We're somewhere on the ocean blue, So many miles away from YOU… |
Submitted by Carl F. Barth, Jr. SM 2/c |
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