Letter to the Commandant
A tribute and token of gratitude for the
unsung heroic work done daily by the Coast Guard in the United States and by
the coast guards of all nations. Dedicated to the men and women of the Coast
Guard.
Guardians of
the deep, watchmen of the sea,
when will thy
appointed task come to end?
Thy ships sail
in endless voyage, ever vigilant
for men and
animals in distress upon the ocean.
Who will speak
or mark thy toil and exertion,
make good thy
selfless effort? Let me join my
voice and epic
song to the chorus of men returned
from
water-grave, and raise your humble service.
Men do not
notice Atlas, or note the hidden heroes,
for brother and
world expects the best of fellows
to spin the
Earth. But you are the blessed – the brother
keepers, who
rank with saint as first servants of Christ.
Truly you are
angels of the waters, swearing life
to life-giving
ministry – you are the echo of mariners
replying from
beyond the gale, flying swiftly
to meet with
refuge those lost amidst the waves.
No winter
chill, nor frightful frost doth sway
your iron will
to set high the price of human life,
and fulfill
divine compassion with superhuman
effort,
standing foot away from helmsman’s call.
You as constant
as the northern star are, one
sure promise,
as the sway of surf: you are the hands
of God that
calm the tempest with embrace
of rescuer, and
console the widows of the sea.
Even when
heaven itself hides its face, you light
stars upon the
waters, sound the mountains men
fly over, and
the valleys where the scallops teem,
protected by
just law and salty, daring enforcers.
And in the
crashing moment when hell sets loose
upon the
waters, dashes against crags life’s work,
by your
presence life is extended or ended, alone
from men you
find strength to move Atropos’ blade.
Editors of
destiny, messengers of mercy, who
bring the light
and guide the ships of nations!
Indulge in but
bit of my poor praise, before you
board your
craft and again defend the fatherland.
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