Traditions of the sea

It is less than three weeks until Bear and I climb back aboard Why Knot and resume the dream.  Having had the time at home to actually prepare the house for extended absence, we recognize some things were overlooked last time we left.  The yard was nicely mowed when we returned thanks to our San Antonio son and family but the lower yard was cluttered with debris from the old swing and some rather large woody weeds.  Thus, I have spent time outside doing the Paul Bunyan thing (without the Blue Ox of course) whilst Bear has been engaged in her part of the upcoming cruise prep.  The go box is growing and we need to leave before the rental car we have is too small to carry the junk. 

A news item this morning caught my attention and I did a bit of internetting to learn more.  The event was the commissioning of a Navy War Ship, the USS Jason Dunham.   More on that later.  The Navy still observes a quaint but time honored tradition in building ships which is to put items under the base of the mast during construction.  This tradition dates back to the Greeks and Romans.  As legend has it, it is tied to the tradition of placing coins on the mouths of deceased so as to ensure payment to the entity Charon for the ferry ride across the River Styx to the afterlife.  Ships sent to battle were given coins for each crew for the same purpose and said coins were placed under the mast at the time they were "stepped" (installed).  Today said items are for marking ship's birth and to seek safe passage for the crew. 

So, where is this going?  DDG-109, the USS Jason Dunham has a box at the base of the mast for items commemorating Corporal Jason Dunham's act of unbelievable heroism.  He did the unthinkable and gave his life to save his rifle squad in Iraq.  Basically, he planted his helmet and himself over a grenade.  For this his family accepted the Medal of Honor and the US Navy named the ship.  It was commissioned today.  In the mast box were many items including a number of coins signifying dates of importance and the sum of which equals the ship's hull number.  Other items included his dog tags, a piece of his  Kevlar helmet and the Guidon of  Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.  For more on this you can whip by the web site:  http://www.jason-dunham.navy.mil/default.aspx . This site will give details of each item. 

Back to the world of the protected- it is cold here today and that hurts, literally.  Springing out of the rack is no longer an option.  Instead, we go through what is similar to a start up procedure. Boy are we looking forward to sailing south to clearer water and warmer days.  I wonder if Why Knot has a coin at her mast base?  If not we will figure a way to make it happen-  or not.  Be well, ya'll.  Fair winds, SV Breezin' now underway in the ICW to Florida.