Yay! What does that mean?

He crossed the equator for the first time on a boat.

There is military hoopla over the rough equivelant of being a South American fisherman?

There is military hoopla over the rough equivelant of being a South American fisherman?

USS George Washington (CVN 73) We're sorry, but we won't be posting pictures of the Crossing the Line ceremony. It's a naval tradition and rite of passage and we'd hate to ruin the adventure for all those Pollywogs out there If you have some, please do not post them here. Thanks!

Research shows that this ceremony’s origin began with the French ships in the 16th century. At first the rites were performed when the ships passed around a major cape safely for the first time… but as time went on, this hazing celebration was extended to sailors who passed the equator for the first time. Even though during these days, paganism had given way to Christianity, sailors still remained a superstitious bunch and would do anything to appease the treacherous seas. Eager to please the ancient god of the sea, Neptune, the humiliation, and fines paid were a small price to pay to get Neptune’s blessing. The English eventually followed in the practice in the next century, with even Captain James Cook writing about it in his journals. In Cook’s day, the ship heaved to and the pollywogs were hoisted over the seas by the mainyard and were dunked into the ocean water 30-40 feet below them. If the pollywog was an officer of the ship, who’s dignity wouldn’t allow such a dunking, they had to forfeit pay … usually in the way of bottles of rum for the after-dunking party.

The original equator crossing ceremony was a serious event, but today, it is another excuse to celebrate how lucky we are to be sailing the seas, as well as an event to break the boredom of our long passage across the ocean. Frequently at the equator, vessels are becalmed and a bit of celebration is a welcome reprieve from the monotony of drifting under a baking sun. Nowadays, a liberal dousing with saltwater usually substitutes the dunking from the sides of the boat, and the forfeiture of pay is usually making a tithe to Neptune with a tossing into the sea of a coin from the sailor’s last port of call. Many will post a letter to King Neptune, i.e. placing a note recording the equatorial crossing position of your vessel with the names of the crew on board in a bottle, and setting it adrift. And of course, most cruising boats today substitute the after-indoctrination party’s bottles of rum with a toast of champagne… some of which is tossed into the sea for the merriment of Neptune!

There is military hoopla over the rough equivelant of being a South American fisherman?

From what Jake has told me...there is so much tradition. For example, he has this large coin/medallion thing. He was awarded this coin for giving blood so many times. I guess it's not hard to get in boot camp. Giving blood verses ironing kind of thing. Anyway, if he sees another sailor at a bar, he can present the coin to the other sailor. If the other sailor doesn't have the same coin, he has to buy him a beer. Fun stuff! He told me there are many different coins. They are awarded by task completion. He wants them all.

I miss him so much. I want to hear all his stories. OPSEC prevents email disclosure of any kind. I dig that. Loose lips, sink ships. He won't get leave until March. He stepped foot in Japan this past December to start his two year assignment aboard the GW.

I'm going to have the biggest party ever for his welcome home. There will be camping in the Back Forty. Keg beer. OMG WTF BBQ, too. Of course, you're all invited. Look for me ... I'll be the one with the cheesy grin.

I guess you guys will just have to deal with me. I can deeply bury disappointment but pride just needs to burst.

ahem .... Go Navy!!

I hear it's harder to bonk people with an equator, though.