The Watch

• For twenty years
• This sailor has stood the watch
• While some of us were in our bunks at night
• This sailor stood the watch
• While some of us were in school learning our trade
• This shipmate stood the watch
• Yes.. even before some of us were born into this world
• This shipmate stood the watch
• In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history
• This shipmate stood the watch
• Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there
• Needing his guidance and help
• Needing that hand to hold during those hard times
• But he still stood the watch
• He stood the watch for twenty years
• He stood the watch so that we, our families and
• Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety,
• Each and every night
• Knowing that a sailor stood the watch
• Today we are here to say
• ‘Shipmate… the watch stands relieved
• Relieved by those You have trained ,Guided, and Led
• Shipmate you stand relieved.. we have the watch…”