So. — Neptunus Lex

By Lex, on Tue – May 10, 2005

Anyway.

Off to sea again. Two weeks and a bit.

We have to be vague, these days. Operational security – OPSEC. Mustn’t let the cat out of the bag, lest the bad guys fling RPG’s into the island from Point Loma * , or something. (If you go from the car carrier’s bow and move right about a quarter of an inch, then up until you hit dry land, then continue up almost until you come to the bay again, you’ll be on my headquarters. Which is where I won’t be, starting tomorrow. Because I’m at sea.)

–

Going aboard a frapping amphib. An LHA * , twitch, twitch. Which is like an actual aircraft carrier only smaller. A rough beast, stumpy and shallow-bottomed, over-fond of avid griping in anything like an actual sea. And! Carrying many Marines, God bless ’em and preserve ’em and keep ’em the hell out of my way.

–

Oh, I love them really. Pound for pound, nothing like them in a tight spot. I almost feel sorry for the poor stupid bastiches who are fighting them in western Iraq. Marines will not be beaten. They refuse. And they like nothing better than a stand-up fight.

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So. I almost feel sorry. Almost.

–

Then I remember all the poor innocents who’re paying for the fanaticism of the foreign fighters. (Not to mention the willfully blind moral relativists ** who only want to tell the terrorist point of view. YGTBSM.)

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And then I don’t feel sorry at all.

——–

This could very well be my last at-sea period (but one). I’m due for shore duty next, and that’s probably the end of the trail, if no new thing arises. After this, I’ve one more ride aboard a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, and then it’s someone else’s problem.

–

I’m not getting nostalgic – just keeping you apprised. I’ve paid my dues at sea.

–

Oh, by the way – you’ve all been patient, assiduous readers – waiting for a real sea story. And I have one or two left in me, I promise. But time has been at a premium of late, and writing well takes both time and effort. So I thank you for your continued optimism, and pray I won’t let you down. Maybe I can stir something up in the odd hour or so at sea – something that won’t entirely discredit the service.

* 07-08-18 Old Links Gone; new one found – Ed.

** 07-08-18 Link gone; no replacement found – Ed.

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"Sign on, young man, and sail with me. The stature of our homeland is no more than the measure of ourselves. Our job is to keep her free. Our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. To this solemn purpose we call on the young, the brave, the strong, and the free. Heed my call, Come to the sea. Come Sail with me."

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