A Christmas Story - On the night before Christmas my ship was at sea

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Been there, done that, got the hat and Tee shirt (literally)….
Found on another forum and thought you all might enjoy it…
I edited some of it, after all this is a family forum…….

On the night before Christmas my ship was at sea,
A big flat-top "bird farm" from the land of the free.
Cruising the ocean at "the tip of the spear",
So everyone home could sleep sound with no fear.

Flight ops had ended hours ago,
The day crew had turned in and gone down below.
Night crew was doin' their maintenance checks,
The aircrews and pilots were gettin' some rest.

The cooks in the galley were fixin' Mid-rat's,
The Air Boss and Cap'n could finally relax.
CIC called up said something's inbound,
Prob'ly the mail plane, a C-2 Greyhound.

Stand clear of the foul-line, one to recover,
"Angel" is airborne, to starboard he'll hover.
Spotters see only one red blinkin' light,
No markers on wing-tips, now somethin' ain't right.

All eyes are watching but no one believes,
What comes o'er the round-down, bold as you please.
Nine deer and a sleigh, no tail-hook or tires,
How does Paddles grade a trap with no wire?

A red Nomex flight-suit, of course gloves that match,
And S. Claus printed on his aviator patch.
Why, it's old Santa Claus wearin' goggles and leather,
With bags full of Christmas cards, presents and letters.

Don't stand there gawkin', froze in your tracks,
Give him a hand with unloadin' those sacks.
The bags are all carried to the mail room below,
And after a pre-flight, Santa's ready to go.

The cat-crew is wondering now which hold-back pin?
Santa just laughs then he's airborne again.
We didn't hear jingling bells from his sleigh,
Ol' Santa was whistling Anchors Aweigh.

Off the angle-deck, over wave-caps of white,
Even without afterburners he's soon out of sight.
We all stood there doubting what we had just seen.

Tho' that night happened many long years ago,
Santa still travels to our ships on the foam.

- Unknown

To all the Shipmates here…an early Christmas wish …. Hoping you have a wonderful Holiday Season……..
Fordson, out……
 
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Kind of special to me as served on the USS Oriskany 1964-1967 (mostly in the Tonkin Gulf) She's now a sunken reef off northern FL and not turn into some razor blades.
 
I was in the Navy (64-68) spent 4 Christmas’s ether overseas or at sea. First Christmas was in Brisbane Australia, 2 weeks R&R was great. The next 3 were in the North Atlantic on patrol with SSBN 656 Blue crew. Not quite on the same level as the first one.
I used to think the Navy planned Christmas that way. 😎
 
I was very young in 1941 but remember the war years,still not old enough during Korea,V?N I had too many children and never drafted, But I remember. Now ii am old and a tear comes to my eye remembering the people that served our country.It still pulls at my heart thinking about the armed forces personal. away each year I have enjoyed my holidays because of them .I thank them each time we meet and thank GOD for such people
 
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