USS NEOSHO AO143
LASTING MEMORIES
The final voyage was so sad to see, The last for her upon the sea.
What I would give to feel her sway under my feet one more time.
She was my home for a short time of a little over two years.
I would love to lay again awake at night and listen to the creaks.
As she rose and fell over each wave that we headed into.
Spent many hours refueling from Rigs 2 , 3, 4 and working on midship transfer stations.
Listen for the shot line to start your rigs across. Music to a Boatswain Mate
Or watch one of my friends throw a bolo from ship to ship.
You learned to sleep anywhere between ships after the rig was ready to go again.
Hear the pipe come over the 1MC.
Swim call !! Holiday Routine!! Knock off ships work!! Liberty Call!!
General Quarters!! General Quarters!! Take In all Lines!! Underway!! Chow Call!!
Taps Lights Out!! The Smoking Lamp Is Out!! Or Lit!! and many many more.
Memories of our duty stood, Memories of our friends we made,
Memories of the far off lands we visited.
Just memories of the short time in our lives that we gave to our country and the gray lady that we spent time on.
It took something out of me to see her being dismantled section by section knowing we could never look upon her decks one more time.
May god watch over each sailor who spent time walking and working on her decks.and help us to keep the part in our heart that we loved so much.
Memories!! Memories!! Friends!! Pictures!! That’s what we have left and our proud feelings that
“The USS Neosho AO143 Was and Still Is the Best Damn Oiler In The Fleet”
“May She Have Fair Winds And Following Seas”
Stevean E Irving President of the USS Neosho Association.
