Sea Fever
By John Masefield
This entry is dedicated to BMCM Jerry Harrington, USCG (Retired) who crossed the bar suddenly on September 20, 2004. For the last number of years Jerry was the guy who did most of the paperwork necessary to organize the Western Great Lakes Annual Coast Guard Reunion. He and his wife Ellen were mainstays at the annual reunions, checking guests in, distributing prizes and doing many of the of tasks that accompany this effort.
The Forty Second Annual Reunion was held on September 18, 2004. I saw Jerry and Ellen and exchanged pleasantries with him that evening expecting to see him again next year at the 43rd Reunion. On the following Monday Larry Stefanovich, President of the CG Sea Vets called me and told me that bad news,
This poem by John Masefield was on the back of the printed program for this reunion and it seems appropriate to dedicate "Sea Fever" as a simple remembrance to him.
Smooth Sailing Shipmate.
From Jack.
I must go down to the sea again for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that can not be denied.
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying
And the flung spray and the blown spume and the seagull crying
I must go down to the sea again for the vagrant gypsy life
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the winds like a wetted knife
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trip is over
.