V8403
October 18th, 2008, 15:10
18 years ago ON The 26th Day of October 1990, America said farewell to a legend: The United States Ship Iowa. As we Spiked her guns, and Holystoned her decks for the last time, we were reminded how her armor protected our fathers and grandfathers while they fought Japanese Imperialism. Her massive 16 inch guns, which curbed Communist aggression over a generation ago now stand majestically silent. USS Iowa was called to duty three times, and all three times she proudly served.
Iowa was Conceived in the throes of world conflict, Iowa is to Honored as the lead ship in a class that comprises the mightiest and most capable battleships of all times. Proven in three wars, Iowa weathered enemy fire, rough seas, and she shown the Flag in each of the six decades in which served . I was on the USS Iowa BB61 when she was retired for the third time, Iowa took her place in History.
We the Members of the Third Decommissioning Unit, as well as all former Iowa crew members, have taken our place in history also. We have all had the privilege of serving on a warship whose mere presence inspires awe, Whose mere silhouette on the horizon precludes conflict and whose beauty, power, and tradition epitomizes the United States Navy.
Iowa was Conceived in the throes of world conflict, Iowa is to Honored as the lead ship in a class that comprises the mightiest and most capable battleships of all times. Proven in three wars, Iowa weathered enemy fire, rough seas, and she shown the Flag in each of the six decades in which served . I was on the USS Iowa BB61 when she was retired for the third time, Iowa took her place in History.
We the Members of the Third Decommissioning Unit, as well as all former Iowa crew members, have taken our place in history also. We have all had the privilege of serving on a warship whose mere presence inspires awe, Whose mere silhouette on the horizon precludes conflict and whose beauty, power, and tradition epitomizes the United States Navy.