MASTER OF CEREMONIES

SCRIPT

RETIREMENT CEREMONY

NCC (SW/AW) AURTNEY B LADLER.

31 MAY 2012

0955 M/C “THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN IN 5 MINS PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR THE DURATION OF THE CEREMONY……THANK YOU.”

1000 M/C“GOOD MORNING. WELCOME TO THE RETIREMENT CEREMONY FOR CHIEF NAVY COUNSELOR SURFACE WARFARE/AVIATION WARFARE SPECIALIST AURTNEY(ORTNEY) B. LADLER.”

“I AM MASTER CHIEF POLLYANNA NEELY AND I AM YOUR MASTER OF CERMONIES FOR TODAY’S EVENT.”

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE RISE FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE OFFICIAL PARTY AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE INVOCATION.”

(TWO BELLS)M/C“CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ARRIVING”

(TWO BELLS)M/C“LIEUTENANT UNITED STATES NAVY ARRIVING” (OFFICIAL PARTY PROCEEDS TO THEIR CHAIRS ON STAGE AND STAND IN FRONT OF THEM AWAITING COLORS)

M/C“PARADE THE COLORS”(COLORS PROCEED TO MIDDLE FRONT.)

(NATIONAL ANTHEM. (CD))

M/C“RETIRE THE COLORS” (PAUSE UNTIL COLORS ARE PAST SECOND ROWN). “SIDE BOYS POST” (SIDE BOYS RETURN TO SEATS.)

M/C“PASTOR YVONNE WRIGHT-DUNN WILL NOW DELIVER THE INVOCATION.”(INVOCATION.)

M/C “PLEASE BE SEATED THE RETIREMENT CEREMONY IS THE NATION’S EXPRESSION OF IT’S APPRECIATION FOR A JOB WELL DONE. IT’S A SINCERE OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF A LONG PERIOD OF FAITHFUL AND HONORABLE SERVICE. OFTEN REFERRED TO AS “SWALLOWING THE ANCHOR”, IT IS A DAY OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE. IT MARKS THE END OF THE RICHLY REWARDING WAY OF LIFE, LIVING AND WORKING ABOARD SHIPS, AND SAILING THE WORLD’S OCEANS IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. SHIPMATES FROM THE SAILOR’S LAST DUTY STATION ARE

FORMALLY ASSEMBLED AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SAILOR’S CAREER ARE REVIEWED, AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS CITED, AND THE SENIOR OFFICER PROPERLY BIDS THEM FAREWELL.TRADITIONALLY DURING THE CEREMONY THE SAILOR AND THEIR FAMILY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH MEMENTOS RECOGNIZING AND EXPRESSING THE NATION’S APPRECIATION FOR YEARS OF SERVICE AND FAMILY SUPPORT. THE UNITED STATES FLAG IS PRESENTED TO THE RETIREE, AND IS OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE. EACH NAVY DAY BEGINS WITH THE CEREMONY OF HOISTING COLORS AT 0800 AND ENDS WITH LOWERING THEM AT DUSK. CHIEF LADLER HAS LIVED FIGURATIVELY UNDER IT’S FOLDS DAY AND NIGHT FOR HIS WHOLE CAREER. THE SALUTES IN IT’S HONOR HERE AND ABROAD, IT’S APPEARANCE AT SEA AND IN FOREIGN PORTS, THE CAREFUL CEREMONIOUS WAY IN WHICH IT IS HANDLED ALL DEEPEN IT’S HOLD ON THE HEART AND MEMORY. THE FLAG IS A VISIBLE NATIONAL SYMBOL OF THE COUNTRY CHIEF LADLER SERVED WITH HONOR AND WILL ALWAYS REMIND HIM OF THE PRECIOUS FREEDOM HE DENFENDED SO WELL. THE CEREMONY CONCLUDED WHEN FOR ONE LAST TIME HIS SHIPMATES PIPE HIM OVER THE SIDE. THIS IS A DISTINCT

NAVAL COURTESY, A SEAMAN’S TRIBUTE, A FINAL FAREWELL WHISTLED THREE TIMES ON THE BOATSWAIN’S PIPE. THIS PIPE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST AND MOST DISTINCTIVE ARTICLES OF PERSONAL NAUTICAL EQUIPMENT USED TO SALUTE DISTINGUISHED PERSONS AS WELL AS TO PASS ORDERS. IN RECENT YEARS, IT HAS BECOME CUSTOMARY FOR THE SAILOR TO INVITE THEIR FAMILY TO ACCOMPANY THEM AS THEY ARE PIPED ASHORE. THIS IS TO RECOGNIZE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES IN SUPPORT OF THEIR SUCCESSFUL NAVY CAREER”

M/C“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE FIRST OF TWO GUEST SPEAKERS, MASTER CHIEF NAVY COUNSELOR JERMAINE RAWLS”(NCCM RAWLS PROCEEDS TO PODIUM AND MAKES REMARKS.)

M/C“THANK YOU MASTER CHIEF” THE SECOND SPEAKER IS CHIEF LADLER’S FIRST CHIEF IN THE NAVY PAT PATTERSON”

M/C“THANK YOU MR. PATTERSON”

M/C“LIEUTENANT HUNT WILL PRESENT CHIEF LADLER WITH HIS END OF TOUR AWARD

AND VARIOUS AWARDS. WILL THE MILITARY GUESTS PLEASE RISE”

(LIEUTENANT HUNT JOINS NCC ON STAGE TO PRESENT VARIOUS AWARDS – NCC WEBB WILL HAND EACH AWARD TO LIEUTENANT HUNT FOR PRESENTATION AND RETRIEVE EACH AFTER.)

(NCC WEBB HANDS LIEUTENANT HUNT THE NAVY COMMENDATION)

M/C“ATTENTION TO AWARD……

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY HAS AWARDED THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS COMMENDATION MEDAL (GOLD STAR IN LIEU OF THIRD AWARD) TO CHIEF NAVY COUNSELOR SURFACE WARFARE/ AVIATION WARFARE AURTNEY B. LADLER UNITED STATES NAVY FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE AS COMMAND CAREER COUNSELOR AND LEADING CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF MILITARY SUPPORT BRANCH, ASSIGNED TO NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD FROM NOVEMBER 2009 TO FEBRUARY 2012. CHIEF LADLER CONSISTENTLY PERFORMED HIS DEMANDING DUTIES IN AN EXEMPLARY AND HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL MANNER. DEMONSTRATING OUTSTNADING LEADERSHIP SKILL, HE LED 94

DEPARTMENT AND DIVISION CAREER COUNSLEORS, PROVIDING HIG QUALITY COUNSELING SERVICES FOR 1500 SAILORS. ADDITIONALLY, HIS EXTENSIVE KNOWLDEGE WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE COMPLETION OF 200 FLEET RESERVE REQUESTS, 700 PERSONNEL ACTION REQUESTS AND 350 REENLISTMENTS TOTALING 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS IN SELECTIVE REENLISTMENT BONUSES. HIS SUPERB ACHIEVEMENTS CULMINATED A CAREER OF 24 YEARS OF LOYAL AND FAITHFUL SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY. BY HIS EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY, PERSONAL INITIATIVE AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO DUTY, CHIEF LADLER REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND UPHELD THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE. SHIPAYRDFOR THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY SIGNED MARK BRIDENSTINE, CAPTAIN U.S. NAVY COMMANDER NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD” (NCC WEBB RETRIEVES THE NAVY COMMENDATION AND HANDS PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATE TO LIEUTENANT HUNT

M/C“PLEASE BE SEATED…

M/C“CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATI0N. FOR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO CHIEF

NAVY COUNSELOR AURTNEY B. LADLER, I EXTEND TO YOU MY PERSONAL THANKS AND THE SINCERE APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL NATION FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION OF HONORABLE SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. YOU HAVE HELPED MAINTAIN THE SECURITY OF THE NATION DURING A CRITICAL TIME IN ITS HISTORY WITH A DEVOTION TO DUTY AND A SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE IN KEEPING WITH THE PROUD TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE. YOUR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION FOR THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS, AND FOR ALL AMERICANS WHO JOIN ME TODAY IN SALUTING YOU FOR A JOB EXTREMELY WELL DONE. MY BEST WISHES TO YOU FOR HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE. BARRACK OBAMA COMMANDER IN CHIEF”(NCC WEBB RETRIEVES THE PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATE)

M/C“CHIEF LADLER ALSO RECEIVED LETTERS OF APPRECIATION FROM FORMER PRESIDENTS GEORGE H.W.BUSH, BILL CLINTON, AND GEORGE W. BUSH, GOVERNORS OF THE STATES OF FLORIDA, GEORGIA, MARYLAND SOUTH CAROLINA, AND VIRGINIA

M/CUSHERS, PLEASE ESCORT CHIEF LADLER’S MOTHER AND FATHER TO THE FRONT TO JOIN LIEUTENANT HUNT FOR A PRESENTATION.”(FAMILY MAKES THEIR WAY UP FRONT TO LIEUTENANT HUNT. NCC WEBB HANDS APPRECIATION CERTIFICATES TO LIEUTENANT HUNT, LIEUTENANT HUNT WILL READ CERTIFICATES HIMSELF)

M/CWOULD ASHLEY, PARIS, KAURTNEY, HUNTER AND QUINN LADLER COME TO THE FRONT TO JOIN LIEUTENANT HUNT FOR A PRESENTATION.”(LIEUTENANT HUNT IS SEATED.)

M/C“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN CHIEF STACY ROUSE WILL READ THE HISTORY OF THE SHADOW BOX”(LNC ROUSE COMES TO FRONT TO READ THE HISTORY OF THE SHADOW BOX)

LNC ROUSE“ACCORDING TO SOME ACCOUNTS OF NAVAL HISTORY AND TRADITION, WHEN A SAILOR RETIRES AND IS DEPARTING THE SHIP FOR THE LAST IME, IT’S CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR THE SAILOR’S SHADOW TO TOUCH LAND BEFORE HE DOES. THUS, THE SAILOR’S SHIPMATES WOULD CONSTRUCT A STURDY BOX, HAND CRAFTED OF THE FINEST MATERIALS, IN

WHICH TO DISPLAY MEMENTOS OF THE SAILOR’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS THEREBY SYMBOLICALLY CREATIING A SHADOW OF THE SAILOR. THE BOX SAFELY CONTAINS THE SAILOR’S SHADOW UNTIL HE IS SAFELY ASHORE, AT WHICH TIME THE SHADOW BOX CAN BE GIVEN TO THE SAILOR IN A PRESENTATION CEREMONY. HISTORICALLY, WHEN A SAILOR WOULD JOIN A SHIP’S CREW, HE WOULD JOIN THAT SHIP FOR HIS ENTIRE CAREER. DURING THE SAILOR’S VOYAGES TO PORTS OF CALL AROUND THE WORLD, HE WOLD COLLECT MANY TRINKETS, SOUVENIERS, AND REMINDERS OF HIS TRAVELS. NATURALLY, AS SPACE ABOARD SHIP WAS AT A PREMIUM, THESE ITEMS TENDED TO BE SMALL. IDEALLY, A SHADOW BOX SERVES NOT ONLY AS A REMINDER OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BUT ALSO AS A SUMMATION, AND A CULMINATION OF A CAREER. A SHADOW BOX SHOULD ENABLE A STRANGER GLANCING AT IT’S CONTENTS TO GAIN A SUBSTANTIAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE OWNER’S PAST SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENTS. THE NATIONAL FLAG IS PLACED INSIDE THE SHADOW BOX TO SYMBOLIZE THE COUNTRY THAT HAS BENENFITTED FROM THE FAITHFUL SERVICE OF THE RECIPIENT OF THE SHADOW BOX.”

“MASTER CHIEF MIKE EBELING AND CHIEF CHRIS SOERGEL WILL NOW PRESENT THE SHADOW BOX.”

“ON BEHALF OF YOUR FELLOW CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS AT THE NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD, WE PRESENT YOU WITH THIS SHADOW BOX. THE FLAG INSIDE WAS FLOWN AT GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK CITY” (EMCM EBELING AND HMC SOERGEL COME TO THE FRONT TO PRESENT THE SHADOW BOX)

M/CCHIEF LAMONDT SANDERS WILL READ THE CHIEF’S FOULED ANCHOR

NCC SANDERSThe Chief's Fouled AnchorThe Fouled Anchor is the emblem of the Rate of Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy. Attached to the Anchor is a length of chain and the letters U.S.N. To the novice, the anchor, chain and letters only identify a Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy, but, to a Chief, these have a more noble and glorious meaning. The "U" stands for Unity, which reminds us of cooperation, maintaining harmony and continuity of purpose and action.

The "S"stands for Service, which reminds us of service to our God, our fellow man and our Navy.The "N" stands for Navigation, which reminds us to keep ourselves on a true course so that we may walk upright before God and man in our transactions with all mankind, but especiallywith our fellow Chiefs. The Chain is symbolic of flexibility and reminds us of the chain of life that we forge day by day, link by link and may it be forged with Honor, Morality and Virtue The Anchor is emblematic of the hope and glory of the fulfillment of all God's promises to our souls. The golden or precious Anchor by which we must be kept steadfast in faith and encouraged to abide in our proper station amidst the storm of temptation, affliction and persecution

M/C“MASTER CHIEF JOE KING WILL READ THE CHIEF PETTY OFFICER’S RETIREMENT CREED”“CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS, ACTIVE AND RETIRED ATTENTION TO THE CPO RETIREMENT CREED.” (PAUSE FOR CPO MESS TO COVER)

NCCM KINGYOU HAVE ON THIS DAY, EXPERIENCED THAT WHICH COMES TO ALL OF US WHO SERVE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN “OUR NAVY.” I SAY “OUR NAVY”, BECAUSE YOUR DEPARTURE FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN NO WAY

TERMINATES YOUR RELATIONSHIP. BY LAW AND TRADITION, U.S. NAVY RETIREES ARE ALWAYS ON THE ROLLS EVER READY TO LEND THEIR SERVICE WHEN THE NEED ARISES. THE RESPECT THAT YOU EARNED AS "THE CHIEF" WAS BASED ON THE SAME ATTRIBUTES THAT YOU WILL NOW CARRY INTO RETIREMENT. YOU SHOULD HAVE NO REGRETS. DO NOT VIEW YOUR RETIREMENT AS AN END OF AN ERA BUT RATHER AS ORDERS TO A NEW AND CHALLENGING ASSIGNMENT, TO A FORM OF INDEPENDENT DUTY. REMEMBER WELL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN, AND WILL ALWAYS BE, AN ACCEPTED MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE OF ALL FRATERNITIES - THAT OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER. THE ACTIVE DUTY CHIEFS SALUTE YOU, YOUR RETIRED CHIEFS WELCOME YOU. I WISH YOU THE TRADITIONAL - FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS.”

“CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS, YOU MAY BE SEATED.”

M/C“CHIEF LADLER, THE PODIUM IS YOURS.”(NCC LADLER’S REMARKS)

M/CFLAG BEARERS POSTM/C“MASTER CHIEF MARY BURROUGHS GRAY WILL READ THE 13 FOLDS”

"Flag Folding Ceremony"

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong." The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on mother's day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded. The tenth

fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust." “FLAG DETAIL POST”

M/C“SENIOR CHIEF STANDLEY WILL READ “OLD GLORY””

MNCS STANDLEY “I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STAES OF AMERICA; MY NAME IS OLD GLORY. I FLY ATOP THE WORLD’S TALLEST BUILDINGS, I STAND WATCH IN AMERICA’S HALL OF JUSTICE, I FLY MAJESTICALLY OVER GREAT INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING, I STAND GUARD WITH THE GREATES MILITARY POWER IN THE WORLD. LOOK UP AND SEE ME

I STAND FOR PEACE HONOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE. I STAND FOR FREEDOM I AM CONFIDENT I AM ARROGANT I AM PROUD

WHEN I AM FLOWN WITH MY FELLOW BANNERS, MY HEAD IS A LITTLE HIGHER, MY COLORS A LITTLE TRUER, I BOW TO NO ONE!

I AM RECOGNIZED ALL OVER THE WORLD. I AM WORSHIPPED, I AM LOVED AND I AM FEARED!

I HAVE FOUGHT IN EVERY BATTLE OF EVERY WAR FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS:GETTYSBURG, SHILOH APPOMATTOX SAN JUAN HILL, THE TRENCHES OF FRANCE, THE ARGONNE FOREST, ANZIO, ROME, THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY, GUAM, OKINAWA, JAPAN, KOREA, VIETNAM, IN THE PERSIAN GULF AND SCORE OF PLACES LONG FORGOTTEN, BY ALL BUT THOSE WHO WHERE THERE WITH ME… I WAS THERE!

I LED MY SOLDIERS, SAILORS AIRMEN AND MARINES. I FOLLOWED THEM AND WATCHED OVER THEM. THEY LOVED ME

I WAS ON A SMALL HILL IN IWO JIMA, I WAS DIRTY, BATTLE-WORN AND TIRED. BUT MY SOLDIERS CHEERED ME! AND I WAS PROUD!

I WAS AT GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK CITY ON SEPTEMBER 11TH AS COWARDLY FANATICS ATTACKED AMERICA. I WAS RAISED FROM THE ASHES OF ONCE PROUD BUILDINGS BY BRAVE

FIREFIGHTERS. HEROES, WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES TO SAVE OTHERS, SHOWING ALL THAT AMERICA, ALTHOUGH BLOODIED, WILL NEVER BE BEATEN. THOSE WHO WOULD DESTROY ME CANNOT WIN FOR I AM THE SYMBOL OF FREEDOM, OF ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

I HAVE BEEN SOILED, BURNED TORN AND TRAMPLED ON THE STREETS OF COUNTRIES THAT I HAVE HELPED SET FREE. IT DOES NOT HURT FOR I AM INVINCIBLEI HAVE BEEN SOILED , BURNED, TORN AND TRAMPLED ON THE STREET OF MY OWN COUNTRY AND WHEN ITS IS BY THOSE WHOM I HAVE SERVED IN BATTLE WITH IT HURTS.

BUT I SHALL OVERCOME FOR I AM STRONG! I HAVE SLIPPED THE BONDS OF EARTH AND FROM MY VANTAGE POINT ON THE MOON, I STAND WATCH OVER THE UNCHARTED NEW FRONTIERS OF SPACE.

HAVE BEEN A SILENT WITNESS TO ALL OF AMERICA’S FINEST HOURS. BUT MY FINEST HOUR COMES WHEN I AM TORN IN STRIPS TO USED AS BANDAGES FOR MY WOUNDED COMRADES ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE.. WHEN I FLY AT HALF MAST TO HONOR MY SOLDIERS, MY SAILORS, MY AIRMEN, MY MARINES, AND…. WHEN I LIE

IN THE TREMBLING ARMS OF A GRIEVING MOTHER AT THE GREAVESIDE OF HER FALLEN SON OR DAUGHTER I AM PROUD. MY NAME IS OLD GLORY LONG MAY I WAVE DEAR GOD, LONG MAY I WAVE

M/CLIEUTENANT HUNT WILL NOW PRESENT THE FLEET RESERVE CERTIFICATE

M/CTHIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT CHIEF NAVY COUNSELOR SURFACE WARFARE/ AVIATION WARFARE SPECIALIST AURTNEY B. LADLER WAS TRANSFERRED FROM ACTIVE DUTY TO THE FLEET RESERVE OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY AFTER COMPLETING OVER 23 YEARS OF SERVICE. –SIGNED CAPT R. S. FINLEY, DEPUTY COMMANDER, NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD.”

M/CFOR TWENTY-THREE YEARSTHIS SAILOR STOOD THE WATCHWHILE SOME OF US WERE IN OUR BUNKS AT NIGHT THIS SAILOR STOOD THE WATCH WHILE SOME OF US WERE IN SCHOOL LEARNING OUR TRADE THIS SHIPMATE STOOD THE WATCHYES, EVEN BEFORE SOME OF US WERE BORN INTO THIS WORLD THIS SHIPMATE STOOD THE WATCH IN THOSE YEARS WHEN THE STORM CLOUDS OF WAR WERE

SEEN BREWING ON THE HORIZON OF HISTORY THIS SHIPMATE STOOD THE WATCH MANY TIMES HE WOULD CAST HIS EYES ASHORE AND SEE FAMILY AND FRIENDS STANDING THERE NEEDING HIS GUIDANCE AND HELP, NEEDING THAT HAND TO HOLD DURING THOSE HARD TIMES AND STILL HE STOOD THE WATCH HE STOOD THE WATCH FOR OVER TWENTY-TWO YEARS HE STOOD THE WATCH SO THAT WE, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN COULD SLEEP SOUNDLY IN SAFETY, EACH AND EVERY NIGHT, KNOWING THAT A SAILOR STOOD THE WATCH TODAY, WE ARE HERE TO SAY “SHIPMATE… THE WATCH STANDS RELIEVED RELIEVED BY THOSE YOU HAVE TRAINED, GUIDED, AND LED… SHIPMATE, YOU STAND RELIEVED… WE HAVE THE WATCH…”

M/C“BOATSWAIN… STANDBY TO PIPE THE SIDE…SHIPMATE GOING ASHORE..”

BMCS WILLIAMS“AYE, AYE,”

M/C“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE RISE FOR THE BENEDICTION.”

M/CREVEREND HERSHELL DUNN WILL NOW DELIVER THE BENEDICTION

(BENEDICTION.)

M/CCHIEF LADLER WILL NOW REQUEST PERMISSION TO GO ASHORE FOR THE LAST TIME.

NCC LADLER(SALUTING)“REQUEST PERMISSION TO GO ASHORE FOR THE LAST TIME.”

LIEUTENANT HUNT(RETURNING SALUTE)“PERMISSION GRANTED.”(CHIEF LADLER ASSUMES DEPARTING POSITION AT END OF BULLET ROW)

(TWO BELLS)M/C“CHIEF NAVY COUNSELOR (SURFACE WARFARE/AVIATION WARFARE SPECIALIST), AURTNEY B. LADLER UNITED STATES NAVY RETIRED, DEPARTING.”(RETIREE PIPED ASHORE AND PROCEEDS THROUGH SIDE BOYS, HE COMES BACK TO GET HIS KIDS ASSUMES DEPARTING POSITION)

( TWO BELLS)“NAVY FAMILY DEPARTING”

M/C

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS CONCLUDES THE CEREMONY. YOU ARE INVITED TO REMAIN FOR REFRESHMENTS. THE LADLER FAMILY THANKS YOU ALL FOR COMING.”