Bonhomme Richard
71
U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard:
(LHD-6)
I sail aboard you, “Poor Richard”,
We pull away from the shipyard.
To new duty we depart,
You can bet…I have an anchor…tattooed across my heart.
The anchor…a symbol which is to me a way of life,
Another six month tour of duty…away from my children and my wife.
A mighty carrier in our fleet…sets out…once more to sea,
Among the finest ships and crew…of the U.S. Navy.
How many sailors have stood on your deck...my old friend?
How many flyboys have been launched from you into the wind?
I wonder what John Paul Jones, himself, would have to say?
To see your gigantic broadside silhouette, across the bay...
To know you carry with you legendary spirit, and might...
Once again, I hear him saying, “We have not yet begun to fight”!
And...What would Ben Franklin write of you...named honorably after his “Almanak”?
Guarantee that we’ll write a new chapter in history…Should we have to land an attack!
Turbulent waves below are splashing...Undaunted though...we get underway...
Our hull pushes them away crashing...As it answers to what the helm has to say.
Listen closely…You can hear it…As the dolphins take the lead...
The propeller churning towards our mission…taking us there at top speed.
A floating fort or a mobile airport, "Revolutionary Gator"...you perform up to your name,
You're every bit the ship...transformed through time...worthy of the original frigate’s fame.
And with Marines aboard you…ready to lead out on an assault,
America...you just can’t help it…you are the greatest by default!
So sail on...You Mighty Carrier…to far away…and seven sea,
But know that in all your glory…You take along with you…a part of me!
________________U.S.S. BONHOMME RICHARD________________
Dedicated to my father who served upon the (*) U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard (CVA-31); Post-Korean War Patrols. (Poem Author's Note: The (*) fourth picture below is from the current U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard’s History Web Page. It shows the (*) old girl (CVA-31) in all her glory…extremely well…I must add! Two more pictures (at the stern of this Hub Poem) have been added to this Hub Page under that fourth picture. The bottom two photos were found in conjunction with archives relating to the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington. The first of these photos is of the second Bonhomme Richard (CV-31) named vessel...in her early days before her deck was modified for Jet Fighters (CVA-31). The very last picture is of her sitting with the "Moth Ball Fleet"...there in the Bremerton Yard...before she was scrapped. Sad to discover that my Dad's ship was eventually scrapped...but the "Bonnie Dick" (CVA-31) lives on... transformed through time...as the "Revolutionary Gator" (LHD-6). "We have not yet begun to fight," John Paul Jones quote. Go Navy! "Know you carry with you legendary spirit, and might..." Manly Poetry Man.
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Comments
Thanx Cris A: Appreciate the insight. To all readers of this poem...if you ever want to read about a great Naval Battle of old...then Google: John Paul Jones and the original Bonhomme Richard...it is 100% real time heroism from back in the day...and makes you appreciate what a real broadside encounter was like...Sincerely, MPM
"America...you just can’t help it…you are the greatest by default!" - this is true.
Amen, Rina!
Nice page, you've done a good job on it. I'm Canadian and we love our brave ones too, and we are proud to have friends like you. Be safe my friend and Merry Christmas to you and yours, Chris
I wrote a poem called "Proud to be" It's about our small army and how we sometimes get made fun of, kind of like a little brother.
chrismarva: Hey...Chris...Thank you for what you said. This is more to Honor those Navy boys (and women) starting with the greatest Navy guy I ever did know...My Dad. And it is also a very, very small tribute to a very incredible sailing vessel: The Bonhomme Richard. May her...and her proud heritage...along with the rest of our fleet...and each one of their proud heritages...combined into the total fleets accomplishments...be free to sail the Seven Seas Forever!
Be interested to read your "Proud to be" Poem...is it in Hub Form yet? I appreciate you stopping in and commenting on this Poem...about a Mighty (Amphibious) Carrier!
My poems do not have the substance that yours have. Mine are mostly emotion. They are just how I felt in the moment. No research was done, and I’m sad to say they only serve as entertainment, but they are my true feelings. You are obviously a well informed and educated man, and over the next few weeks I will read and try to understand you and your writing a little better. Chris
Hey Chris...It's all good! Entertainment stuff, true feelings, manly poetry...Your wisdom in writing shines through in your comments. I am sure the caliber of your writing works well with added emotion and true feelings.
You sound like another very wise person on here...in your analysis: Maven101...you should read some of his stuff...if you haven't already!? BTW...if you read and understand...any of my stuff...would you please tell me what I'm writing about...I've been trying to figure that out for years!!!? : ) Have a great one...my Canadian Friend...Just throwin' a lil' (very little) Texas humor your way! Humbly and Sincerely, MPM
Cris A says:
6 months ago
A great tribute. And I sense the pride that you have for what your father stood for. Thanks for sharing :D