Sophora
12-07-03, 04:07 PM
Voice From The ARIZONA
By Jack F Langham, USN (Ret), Deceased
It's time to break the silence
I have kept for many years;
I want to send a message
To dry away your tears.
Let my story be heard by mothers
Whose sons I still enfold,
And to all the wives of loved ones
Who defended me brave and bold.
To you who've served in battleships-
Or perhaps you shipped with me,
You might be mourning a shipmate
Who is resting beneath the sea.
My Story began in Brooklyn-
Nineteen-sixteen was the date.
They christened me 'Arizona"
After the sunny baby state.
I was a proud ship 'Arizona',
And my commissioning became complete
The day I took my place in line
With the mighty U.S. Fleet.
My bow cleaved through the water-
My sisters steamed at my side-
I was part of the greatest Navy
That ever graced a tide.
If you have been a son of mine,
You helped me earn my fame.
You served me well and faithfully-
I'll aways cherish your name.
The years spead by - too fast it seems,
And this lady was growing old;
Then infamy at Pearl Harbor
My destiny did unfold.
That tranquil Sunday morning
Found me secure in battleship row;
Then without a sign of warning
I suffered my first blow.
My crew rushed to battle stations
And valiantly began to fight-
The aggressors came on relentlessly-
Attack! Attack! With no respite.
My boilers blew with a resounding blast
When a bomb dropped down my stack-
The magazines were the next to go-
A blow that broke my back.
Colors flying - a last salute,
And with twisting and burning steel,
I gave in to merciful waters
And felt mud engulf my keel.
Now I rest beneath the waves,
Embracing my beloved crew-
Almost the entire complement;
One thousand, one hundred and seventy seven.
Though our worldly days are over,
Don't for a moment be misled;
The spirit within me is still alive,
Kindled by the gallantry of my dead.
We receive your prayers and tributes,
We hear you toll our bell;
We thank you for your reverence,
Much more than words can tell.
If we could ask one thing of you,
Our sole request would be;
Do everything within your power
To keep our nation strong and free.
There were 88 Marines aboard the ARIZONA. Only 15 servived.
By Jack F Langham, USN (Ret), Deceased
It's time to break the silence
I have kept for many years;
I want to send a message
To dry away your tears.
Let my story be heard by mothers
Whose sons I still enfold,
And to all the wives of loved ones
Who defended me brave and bold.
To you who've served in battleships-
Or perhaps you shipped with me,
You might be mourning a shipmate
Who is resting beneath the sea.
My Story began in Brooklyn-
Nineteen-sixteen was the date.
They christened me 'Arizona"
After the sunny baby state.
I was a proud ship 'Arizona',
And my commissioning became complete
The day I took my place in line
With the mighty U.S. Fleet.
My bow cleaved through the water-
My sisters steamed at my side-
I was part of the greatest Navy
That ever graced a tide.
If you have been a son of mine,
You helped me earn my fame.
You served me well and faithfully-
I'll aways cherish your name.
The years spead by - too fast it seems,
And this lady was growing old;
Then infamy at Pearl Harbor
My destiny did unfold.
That tranquil Sunday morning
Found me secure in battleship row;
Then without a sign of warning
I suffered my first blow.
My crew rushed to battle stations
And valiantly began to fight-
The aggressors came on relentlessly-
Attack! Attack! With no respite.
My boilers blew with a resounding blast
When a bomb dropped down my stack-
The magazines were the next to go-
A blow that broke my back.
Colors flying - a last salute,
And with twisting and burning steel,
I gave in to merciful waters
And felt mud engulf my keel.
Now I rest beneath the waves,
Embracing my beloved crew-
Almost the entire complement;
One thousand, one hundred and seventy seven.
Though our worldly days are over,
Don't for a moment be misled;
The spirit within me is still alive,
Kindled by the gallantry of my dead.
We receive your prayers and tributes,
We hear you toll our bell;
We thank you for your reverence,
Much more than words can tell.
If we could ask one thing of you,
Our sole request would be;
Do everything within your power
To keep our nation strong and free.
There were 88 Marines aboard the ARIZONA. Only 15 servived.