A few weeks ago a forgotten anniversary came and went. On April 19, 1989 a tragic explosion took the lives of 47 sailors on the USS Iowa
Her number BB-61, Iowa
She’s earned 11 battle stars hurling shells like rain
Ole Glory flies above her decks for all the world to see
Her guns the biggest guns around to keep our people free
Gunnery practice was the call the mighty shells they flew
Then given was the order “Prepare to fire turret two”
“Oh God” they cried in turret two something had gone wrong
As sailors rushed to fight the fires in a mighty throng
When the count of sailors taken 47 were no more
A dozen would survive to sail the seas once more
Wives and parents and children mourned those they loved so well
Their Captain and their President the nation’s grief did tell
Though they did not die in battle nor in time of war
Yet as Patriots and heroes they are remembered evermore
Seeming nearly human Iowa
And cries out oh dear patriot your deaths are not in vain
For more info on the USS Iowa go to http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/61c.htm
Freedom is not free
Until next time, Keep on the firing line
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