INVOCATION

Given by:  Deacon Robert C. Simpson, Assistant Chaplain
USS WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION
7th Biennial Reunion

Memorial Service

September 16, 2000

USS Alabama

 

 

 

What is it that brings you and I to these reunions?

 

What is there about this particular ship, this mass of steel that we know as the “Wisconsin”? Why has she stayed with us all these years?

I do not think there is any one answer to these questions.

For some it may be reliving their youth, for others it may be the joy of getting away on vacation, and still others, a chance to renew old friendships.  To see if our former shipmates have aged as well as we have.

Again I ask the Question:

What is it about the “Wisconsin” that makes her such an important part of our lives?  Is there something magical about her?  Through some mysterious power has she been able to control all of us who have served aboard her?

Many of us travel a very long distance just to be part of these reunions.    Why?

My memories of the “Wisconsin” are very vivid, even after almost 50 years.
We gather here this morning on the deck of the Battleship “Alabama” to pay tribute to not only our own fallen shipmates but to all those who have died in the service of our country.  Our numbers are getting smaller, less hair on some, more gray on others, but we come together to also celebrate life.  To renew friendships made long ago.

We have just entered into the new millennium.  We have been given a new beginning, a new chance to make a difference in this world.  You and I are part of a rich history. All of us working together, serving our nation have helped make her what she is.

 I came across the following on the Internet.  Quote:

 

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers, wider freeways but narrower viewpoints.  We spend more, but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time: We have more degrees but less sense: more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, but more problems: more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.  We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often.  We’ve learned to make a living, but not a life.  We’ve cleaned up the air but polluted the soul.  We’ve split the atom but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals.  We’ve become long on quantity but short on quality.
These are the times of tall men and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.  These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses but broken homes.” Unquote.

We are living in an age in which our young people have not been taught respect.  They assume no responsibility for their conduct.  To them there is no such thing as duty, honor, and country.  They have experienced the lying, cheating and immoral conduct of their elders.  We no longer seem to have a God given value system in this country.  We are a nation have turned away from “In God we Trust” to I only trust myself.  I am going to get the most toys and I don’t care who I hurt in order to get them.

Each and every one of us here today must examine our own lives.  We have lived too long and worked too hard to allow this country to go down the tubes.  We must do whatever it takes to instill the love of God and of country back into our society.  It is going to be a challenge but remember the old World War Two slogan.

 

“WE’VE DONE IT BEFORE AND WE CAN DO IT AGAIN”