A Memory for the Future - TheRealLJIdol - Week 21
George stands on the edge of the Hackensack River looking at a memory. A memory that helped shape him into the man he is today. A memory that brought him lifelong friends. Brothers that stood by his side during the most trying times of his life. A memory that led him to meet the woman of his dreams and fall in love. A memory that he has shared with his children on countless occasions. And a tear rolls down his face...
________________________________________
George and Harry had been friends since they met in RTC. Neither one knew anyone in boot camp and they became fast friends. They had both been very active before signing up for the Navy so they bonded over how intense yet invigorating this experience was for them. The training was difficult. Early mornings, grueling activity and endless orders.
George and Harry were standing in front of the USS Ling. She was the Naval warship where they were going to be doing their training. They couldn’t believe how beautiful she was. Even though she was almost 20 years old, she still looked amazing. Their friendship turned to brotherhood as they trained on that ship. They were a family... George, Harry and the lovely Ling.
They spent many days aboard that ship. She was good to them and when they discussed what they were going to do after they finished their tour, Harry finally confessed to George that he planned on dedicating his life to the Navy. This took George by surprise because he and Harry had spoken about settling down in the same neighborhood together with their future wives, raising their future families, but he understood. The USS Ling had made an impression on them both and Harry felt that he could help continue her legacy.
When George left the Navy, he and Harry vowed to stay in touch, and they did for many years. He was the best man at George's wedding, the Godfather of both of his children and his oldest friend. Every time Harry took leave, he made sure he and George were at least able to meet for coffee and catch up. Goerge asked him many times if he would ever get married himself and Harry always replied, "I don't know if any woman will ever measure up to my lovely Ling." Eventually one woman did and George was finally able to be the best man. Even though most of the time they were in very different places, George and Harry's friendship never faded. They thanked their time on the USS Ling for that.
Then one day, while having dinner with his wife and children, George got the phone call he had always feared. Harry had been killed in the line of duty. George almost dropped the phone as Harry’s wife relayed the details of the funeral.
That night he told his children about his time with his dear friend. As he showed them photos, he came across one of him and Harry leaning on a rail and smiling aboard the USS Ling. He told his children that someday he would take them to see the astonishing ship in person.
________________________________________
... George cries as he sees what has become of his memory. She is wounded and surrounded by garbage and brambles. The beautiful Naval warship that was awarded a battle star for World War II service. The amazing warship that was used to train countless Naval personnel who went on to do amazing things and/or give their lives in the line of duty. George cries because he remembers his fallen friend Harry and knows that if he was still alive he would be in tears too. George cries because he sees the remains of a broken friend. Will they save her? Will their plans work? Will the USS Ling ever be restored to her former glory, or like so many other war veterans, will she be forgotten and left to fend for herself after giving herself for her country? As he stands on the edge of the bank, looking at his memory he wonders about the world today and how many more of his brothers and sisters are going to be joining her in the near future. He cries for those yet to be abandoned. He cries for those yet to be forgotten. He cries for the future and the memory sitting before him.
Link: http://weirdnj.com/stories/abandoned/uss-ling-hackensack/
________________________________________
George and Harry had been friends since they met in RTC. Neither one knew anyone in boot camp and they became fast friends. They had both been very active before signing up for the Navy so they bonded over how intense yet invigorating this experience was for them. The training was difficult. Early mornings, grueling activity and endless orders.
George and Harry were standing in front of the USS Ling. She was the Naval warship where they were going to be doing their training. They couldn’t believe how beautiful she was. Even though she was almost 20 years old, she still looked amazing. Their friendship turned to brotherhood as they trained on that ship. They were a family... George, Harry and the lovely Ling.
They spent many days aboard that ship. She was good to them and when they discussed what they were going to do after they finished their tour, Harry finally confessed to George that he planned on dedicating his life to the Navy. This took George by surprise because he and Harry had spoken about settling down in the same neighborhood together with their future wives, raising their future families, but he understood. The USS Ling had made an impression on them both and Harry felt that he could help continue her legacy.
When George left the Navy, he and Harry vowed to stay in touch, and they did for many years. He was the best man at George's wedding, the Godfather of both of his children and his oldest friend. Every time Harry took leave, he made sure he and George were at least able to meet for coffee and catch up. Goerge asked him many times if he would ever get married himself and Harry always replied, "I don't know if any woman will ever measure up to my lovely Ling." Eventually one woman did and George was finally able to be the best man. Even though most of the time they were in very different places, George and Harry's friendship never faded. They thanked their time on the USS Ling for that.
Then one day, while having dinner with his wife and children, George got the phone call he had always feared. Harry had been killed in the line of duty. George almost dropped the phone as Harry’s wife relayed the details of the funeral.
That night he told his children about his time with his dear friend. As he showed them photos, he came across one of him and Harry leaning on a rail and smiling aboard the USS Ling. He told his children that someday he would take them to see the astonishing ship in person.
________________________________________
... George cries as he sees what has become of his memory. She is wounded and surrounded by garbage and brambles. The beautiful Naval warship that was awarded a battle star for World War II service. The amazing warship that was used to train countless Naval personnel who went on to do amazing things and/or give their lives in the line of duty. George cries because he remembers his fallen friend Harry and knows that if he was still alive he would be in tears too. George cries because he sees the remains of a broken friend. Will they save her? Will their plans work? Will the USS Ling ever be restored to her former glory, or like so many other war veterans, will she be forgotten and left to fend for herself after giving herself for her country? As he stands on the edge of the bank, looking at his memory he wonders about the world today and how many more of his brothers and sisters are going to be joining her in the near future. He cries for those yet to be abandoned. He cries for those yet to be forgotten. He cries for the future and the memory sitting before him.
Link: http://weirdnj.com/stories/abandoned/uss-ling-hackensack/