Found some pictures I carefully placed away.
just some old memories, forgotten yesterdays.

collected and carefully wrapped with paper and string
three years of my life with a ship that needed me for everything

My life and my work on the open sea
nights under clear skys, it seemed just her and me

One day they told me that had to put her away
nothing to do for it, and nothing I could say

In a hazy bay, while the paint peeled from her number
my grand old girl rode high and waited to be called again from her slumber

Someone else that loved her as much as I
towed her to final resting place under the Pearl Harbor sky.

And take her place by a sister sleeping on the harbor bottom
loved as much by her crew she also will never be forgotten.

Her guns are silent and the gulls keep company day and night
just photographs and stories tell of her awesome might.

Memories of power and of glory and a countries pride.
though her fireboxes are cold, and engines are silent my own still burns inside.

We knew her proud and we knew her strong and fast
20 plus knots in typhoon weather but we knew it wouldnt last.

Nine long barrels from turrets capped and cold
the world has changed and her and I became so old

Proud lady we knew you by so many names
but MISSOURI since you left the yards and now still thankfully it remains.

We pay tribute to the crew that served you day and night
and gave your country pride and hope through a many terrible fight.

May you sleep in peace and the hearts of old sailors and warriors mend
for all the brave crew of USS.Arizona where it began, and to the grand old ship USS Missouri where it would end.
jw fallang 87 - 91 H - Division

she took with her two fighting crews into harms way
and they learned to love her and respect her every single day

she flew her colours from the Pacific to the Atlantic, round the world then on a fatal shore.
she was ready to go home for a good rest, but our country called her to fight once more.

her guns weapons red for three days straight
she threw steel and tomohawks and sat at station to wait

for two cruise missles that found in 10 fathoms she could have been struck
but the HMS Glouchester and four sea darts gave us time and more luck.

The Fife and the Nichols spit depleted rounds and with great speed
brought the last remaining Styx missle down and we stood and cheered indeed!

From the bowels of engineering to the masts where we stood
we breathed fresh air after 72 hours at battle stations and it sure felt good.

Our mission complete, and our task well done.
our families awaited us at home for no man was alone.

We are all kindred souls and we hold our heads high
though she slumbers at anchor in our hearts she will live on and never die.

Gratefully we can still see her in a livery of black and gray
and take the deepest breath of pride till our last dying day.

Perhaps it is more than the ribbons and the photos that we keep on the wall
for the grand old lady kept us all alive, as we her, and perhaps outlive us all..