"Fair Winds and Following Sea's and may your Big Jib Draw"

Nassau decommissioned after 32 years of service

By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 31, 2011 20:52:19 EDT

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. — Nearly 32 years of service and history came to an end Thursday when the amphibious assault ship Nassau was decommissioned at Naval Station Norfolk.

Hundreds of former sailors and Marines reunited under a heated tent on a cold, drizzly pier to see the 820-foot ship, next-to-last of the Tarawa class, officially removed from the fleet.

“Executive officer: Secure the last watch, haul down the colors and disembark the remaining crew,” ordered Capt. Sam Norton, the ship’s final commanding officer. The order was echoed in turn by the command duty officer and, off in the distance, the officer of the deck. And off they came — a ceremonial remaining crew, as the demasted ship had been secured and rendered uninhabitable in preparation for this day.
(complete article) http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/03/navy-nassau-decommissioned-norfolk- 033111w/