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Shortest prayer

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Contributed by: Bob Rotruck on 12/16/2006

THE LANDLOCKED SAILOR
By Bob Rotruck, CWO3, USN (ret)
Castle Rock, Colorado

Shortest Prayer
The Vietnam War was in full swing in 1968 when I was aboard the USS Kitty Hawk as a Chief Petty Officer. Most days and nights were filled with work, with many days watching the sunrise twice in a row without sleep while on Yankee Station (deployed to the operational area). It was routine to work twenty hours and catch a nap here or there when you could. Strong Navy coffee was the only thing that kept your body from just dropping from fatigue. One thing I did pause for everyday was the evening prayer by one of the ship's chaplains at 2200 (10:00 PM), just minutes before taps.

On one occasion, the ship was in route back to Subic Bay, Philippines for replenishment and a short R&R. We had been on the "line" for forty-five days and we were all very weary, but glad to be going to Subic for a little stand-down time. On this particular evening, before the chaplain came over the 1MC (ship's public address system), the ship's Captain was piped by the Bos'n Mate of the Watch to address the crew.

He said, "This is the Captain speaking. We have just received news that a Navy EC-121 electronic surveillance aircraft has just been shot down off of the coast of North Korea. The USS Enterprise and her escort ships are being diverted from Yankee Station to the North China Sea as a show of force. We have been ordered to return to Yankee Station until relieved by Enterprise. That is all." As soon as the Captain finished, the chaplain was announced, "Attention to evening prayers." The chaplain spoke up and said, "Amen!" Taps!

Fair winds and smooth seas!

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

Submitted By: Fairlight Baer-Gutierrez

posted on 3/5/2007 @ 9:24:09 AM

Rated Story

Hi, Bob. One of our users asked me to pass on a couple comments to you: -"Mr Rotruck should be working for the Col. tourist bureau. Has people convinced only place to live." -"He is an exceptional person and that shows through in his poems & writings." Jean Erving

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Submitted By: Michael Rule

posted on 1/22/2007 @ 7:37:02 AM

Rated Story

Great story! Have more?

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Bob Rotruck

Castle Rock , CO

Bob Rotruck has posted 60 stories and 2 comments since joining on 7/26/2006. Bob Rotruck 's average story rating is 4.89.

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