Letters to the All Hands editor

All Hands, Sept, 2004 by Julie Clark

I recently had the experience of watching a young man go through the Great Lakes Naval Station, Recruit Training Command "boot camp," and I had the honor of attending his graduation.

The whole experience, from the day he said good-bye until the day I watched him graduate, was quite an education. I was not aware of all that takes place during this training and of the remarkable changes in young men and women as they are molded into the exceptional Sailors who make up the United States Navy.

I was also surprised at how much the families sacrifice and how important family support can be to the Sailor as he or she serves this country. There is a certain quality that seems to be born in these young men and women that is shaped and defined by their training. The families of these Sailors have usually helped to instill the confidence and courage that is necessary to be a Sailor, and to commit to a job and a lifestyle that can be very difficult.

The families' continued support of their Sailor during his or her service helps the Sailor to he his very best. After listening to a recruit recite "The Sailor's Creed" I decided to write a creed for the families of these Sailors so that families know their sacrifices are recognized.

With the help of a Sailor, "The Sailor's Creed," was rewritten to this final version of "The Sailors' Family's Creed" as a way to honor these Sailors' families.

The Sailor's Family's Creed

We are the family of a United States Sailor. We will support him/ her as he defends our country and carries out the orders of those appointed over him/her. Our lives represent the freedom that has been won by those Sailors who have gone before him/her, and we are committed to using that freedom wisely. We proudly encourage him/her as he serves our country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment. We are committed to helping him/her and his/her shipmates to do their very best.

Written by Julie Clark and JO1 James R. Stilipec--2004

To the families who support the Sailors of this Navy, thank you for raising these men and women to understand service and responsibility. When they came to you and told you they wanted to join the Navy, thank you for encouraging them. Thank you for your quiet support and your sacrificing in silence. Know that it is appreciated. May God bless you as you support your Sailor and our Navy, and help to make it the best navy in the world.

Julie Clark

Skowhegan, Maine