Where have the years flown?

Forwarded to www.YorktownSailor.com by Capt. Bill Bennett,
the Yorktown's last combat cruise skipper

We left as boys and came back as men.
Lets hope no one has to do it again.
We took a plane brand spanking new.
Started as strangers and came
back a crew.


We were young and slim, our backs were straight.
Our eyes now dim, we know our fate.
We had to go, a job to do.
Our friends all went, we had to too.


Now years have past and soon we'll rest.
The whole world knows we did our best.
Above the clouds our spirits will soar.
When life is o'er, its through the next door.


We'll join up again on another plane.
Take off for the heavens, a crew again.
 

Frank Duca    Oceanside, NY Served on the Yorktown from 1960-1963 in 'R' Division - Damage Control Shop.

  This was a great time in my life, and a very rewarding experience. I remember living and working with a great bunch of guys, who were the best at what they did, and really knew how to "Hit the Beach". We shared a lot of memorable times together, and I would love to hear from anyone who knew me then.

  Enjoyed two Far East cruises aboard the Yorktown. Hit a serious typhoon during each of them. Waves were coming over the flight deck and threatening to crash in the hanger bay doors. Our job was to keep them shored up with anything we could lay our hands on. There was a lot of scared faces, but we did learn about team work.

 


Started out on the Yorktown as a pipe fitter. Not a very good one though. Seemed to learn everything the hard way. Remember holding up a GI can to clean out a waste pipe. Swore there wasn't any pressure on the plug until after the last thread. Next thing I knew, I was covered in brown. Gave everyone a big laugh, and nobody ever let me forget it.
Aside from the all night card games, most off duty nights at sea were spent writing letters or listening to Eddy Botts pluck out a tune on his guitar. I first came aboard as a 17 year old kid from Brooklyn NY who only liked Rock & Roll, but soon developed a great love of Country & Western music.

 

 

 

The Fighting Lady



As the day she was christened the great "Fighting Lady,"
The World War II terror of the South Pacific Sea.


Children romp freely about her decks and in her holds,
Visitors can see maritime history unfold.
But, as any mother ever created or born,
This great Fighting Lady has taken the time to mourn
For all her children lost when she was far out at sea,
And for those who left her, then later passed peacefully.


Her walls rumble still with memories of her children,
The victories and sacrifices of her brave men.
This Fighting Lady will not go to war anymore,
But holds herself erect and steady, as once before.
The Yorktown Fighting Lady sits dignified and free,
Always a proud symbol of our great fighting navy.


She’s an icon of glory, a symbol to us all
That America stands ready to answer the call.
Her fighting days are only memories to us now.
There may not be any big guns on her stern or bow,
But her fighting spirit stands for freedom evermore.


We must keep her memory burning from shore to shore.
Wisdom says if we forget what’s happened in the past,
We are doomed to repeat it, our lots will have been cast.
Never forget this Fighting Lady rocking gently
As tides make her rise and fall in a warm Charleston breeze.
She’s the mighty Yorktown, aircraft carrier renown,
A legacy and heritage that will never drown.


Composed after first visit to the Yorktown Reunion in October 2001. Rose McCormick
 




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