In the shadow of the capitol

There is a Sailor on watch in the heart of our nation's capital and he never stands relieved. Just outside the Navy Memorial, a statue that has become one of our Navy's most enduring images greets hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

MCPON Billy Sanders said that, "He is the classic American Sailor. That statue looks like bronze, but there is plenty of salt, paint, sweat, fuel oil and courage stirred in."

The Lone Sailor[c] may be the most recognizable, and most famous, display at the Memorial. He was designed with the fleet in mind--25 years old at most, a senior second class petty officer who is fast becoming a seagoing veteran.

He stands on the edge of a world map in Memorial Plaza, surrounded by towering masts, signal flags and waterfalls. Tributes to Sailors from past wars are found in every direction and the memorial itself sits just a few hundred feet away.

And that, Shipmates, is where our heritage lives. If you haven't visited the Navy Memorial, you should. If you visit Washington, D.C., give yourself an afternoon to walk through what I consider to be a Navy treasure.

Look through the computerized Deck Log and read the biographies of your shipmates past and present. Entry costs you nothing but the few minutes it takes to press a few keys. Walk around the memorial, into the library or to the exhibits and learn of our Navy's history through sound, video or book.

Or do as I do. Seek out a veteran you see walking through the exhibits and ask him or her about life in our Navy. Ask them to sit down and tell you of life in the North Atlantic during World War II or the South China Sea during Vietnam. Tell them about the life you lead in today's Navy and I'll bet you'll both be surprised to learn that most things haven't changed.

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Due to advancements in technology, creation of new rates and shifting missions, the way we fight has evolved over the years. But, the memorial reminds us all that the culture and the attitude of the United States Sailor has remained unchanged. The memorial is a living tribute to those of us who serve our nation at sea and live by the words--ship, shipmate, self.

The memorial is also a tribute to the sacrifices made by our Navy families. Just inside the front entrance, you'll find The Homecoming[c] statue depicting the reunion of a Sailor, wife, and child. It's a scene many of you are familiar with, the timeless image of what our Navy represents, a Sailor coming home from the sea after defending this nation.

Visit the Navy Memorial when you can. If you can't make it to our capital, go to their website, http://www.lonesailor.org/index.php, and find out what the Memorial Foundation does for each of us all year round.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON (SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa

COPYRIGHT 2008 U.S. Navy
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning