When I was in the working rat-race, I used to think that attending big-life events like graduations, funerals, and retirements were somewhat of an inconvenience. I mean, it’s gonna happen whether I’m in attendance or not, right? But, age and a lot of time in my own head on a motorcycle, has helped me to see that being there for people I care about, and their families, during these milestones is an honor, not a bother. Now, if I’m fortunate enough to be invited, I make a real effort to be present. So, with excitement at the prospect of seeing old shipmates, and the joy of helping to usher in the next chapter for two career Naval Officers, I pointed my bike towards the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland to attend two retirement ceremonies and celebrations in one day!
First up in the morning was Homer’s Change-of-Command and Retirement ceremony. I don’t like to use last names or give out too much personal information on others in this blog, so I won’t recount his whole career here. Suffice it to say that he’s been involved in, and in leadership positions for, real-life world events throughout his career.
He, and most of the pilots and NFOs that I flew with, all the way up the Chain-of-Command to our Skipper (along with my Spanish apartment neighbors, Stephanie and Whit) went out of their ways to encourage, mentor, and coach me into studying for entrance exams and applying to universities. Their belief in me turned into belief in myself. Spoiler alert, I successfully made it through university studies and earned three degrees 😊 You never really know what lives you are affecting along the way, so thank you to those who chose to be a conduit, instead of an obstacle, to my evolution ! Photo credit: Eli DurkeeHaving served in the Navy, Air National Guard, and the Army, I can confidently say that Navy retirements are much more steeped in tradition, and do the best job of respectfully closing out a life-long military career, than the other two services. A traditional Navy retirement, regardless of rank, involves side-boys/girls, piping ashore, a final salute, and the reading of the poem “The Watch.” The poem was read at both ceremonies, but the reading of it by Matt’s son, who is now a young Naval Officer himself, at the conclusion of his service, was particularly poignant.
The Watch For twenty years, This sailor has stood the watch. While some of us were in our bunks at night, This sailor stood the watch. While some of us were in school learning our trade, This shipmate stood the watch. Yes.. even before some of us were born into this world, This shipmate stood the watch. In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history, This shipmate stood the watch. Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there, Needing his guidance and help, Needing that hand to hold during those hard times, But he still stood the watch. He stood the watch for twenty years. He stood the watch so that we, our families and Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, Each and every night Knowing that a sailor stood the watch. Today we are here to say ‘Shipmate… the watch stands relieved. Relieved by those You have trained, guided, and led. Shipmate you stand relieved… we have the watch…” “Boatswain . . . Standby to pipe the side . . . Shipmate going ashore.”
After all the ceremonies and parties, I spent the next day sightseeing around the Naval Academy campus, called The Yard. I had visited here before and had already explored a lot of downtown Annapolis previously, so this time I mostly walked around the Academy and toured its historic buildings and museum, and even took a boat tour of the area to get perspective from the Severn River.
Content with my time visiting and sightseeing, I decided that I wasn’t ready to go home yet. So, which direction to go?
FitHippie Adventures 
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