Final episodes PBS Carrier

I understand that the purpose of “Carrier” was to document life aboard a modern day carrier specifically targeting the majority of the population that has never walked up a brow of a flattop or any other ship in the US Navy. In the course of the Rooster’s blog, I have made fun and poked fun at a few of the folks highlighted on the series and made light of the modern amenities today’s sailors enjoy at sea. But you know…whether it was today or 200 years ago, a day at sea is a day at sea. Each day that passes is another one crossed off the calendar that hangs either in your rack or in your shop. Each X marks a day not spent with your family or friends, a day never to be recaptured but rather remains in a pool of sacrificed days that we exchange for a moment of freedom. Sailors are always there, always at sea, somewhere out there where the horizon meets the water, a ship capturing the reflection of the sunset.

Whether you support the war or not, you have to think about this…every day of the year, every hour of the day….there are sailors on every ocean…keeping the sea lanes open and ensuring all nations open access to the world. As you lay down tonight, a sailor is awake…on watch. As you go to work, a sailor is on watch and every four hours another is waiting to assume his duties. Remember the sailors and the soldiers, at sea and on land…this all volunteer force of men and women that have answered the call more than once in most cases are there for us when we need them. You can hate the war and what it stands for but never hate the men and women that fill the ranks of our military. We have asked so much of them all and I hope that our gratitude is paid back to them when they return. I hope that a GI Bill Law, similar to the benefits given to the WWII veterans,  is passed in Congress so that when our Iraqi Freedom soldiers and sailors return from their 1st or 2nd and even 3rd and 4th tours of duty, this generation will have the opportunities available to them to become a “greatest generation” as well.

It must have been a monumental task to try to capture what life on a carrier is like in just 10 hours of film. I applaud the filmmakers now that I have seen the entire series. I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars for its honesty and allowing the stories and characters develop on their own. Who didn’t want to know more about the Marine that was abandoned at the circus at 3 years old and subsequently is now the leader of men and a father and husband as well? The military is full of folks like that…men and women who have found the intestinal fortitude to be bigger than their circumstances, to adapt and overcome and to find their way despite the obstacles in their paths. It doesn’t necessarily works for everyone, there are some bad apples that just stay bad apples and are dealt with accordingly. I have a very good friend that could quote some of those same life experiences and although I don’t think the Marines made him the man he is…the Marines gave him the structure in which that man could discover himself. “Carrier” provided many examples of folks pulling themselves up by the bootstraps and moving forward despite hardships. “Carrier” also did a wonderful job portraying the sacrifices that are made by military families. Each soldier and sailor represents a host of people that are affected by their absence. We must not forget them as well…they have crossed out the days on their calendar too.

As I write this blog, their are sailors on watch…Ordie Team Leaders screaming “Ready Nose, Ready Tail”….FSA’s cranking…Hull Tech’s clearing CHT clogs…drills being called away and real-life emergencies unfolding as I type…our freedom depends on it…whether in a time of peace or time of war. Fair winds and following seas folks…hope you enjoyed “Carrier” as much as me…(it was fun…)

The Navy Hymn

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked’st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea

 

~ by Running Rooster on May 3, 2008.