Underway Aboard Old Ironsides 🇺🇸😁

The highlight, and indeed the underlying reason for my recent vacation in Massachusetts, was the opportunity to be aboard USS Constitution or Old Ironsides on July 4, 2022. After all, I was originally scheduled to be coming back home yesterday from a summer vacation on Mackinac Island.

I was one of the 150 lucky winners chosen from more than 11,000 entries to go aboard the USS Constitution for its July 4th underway demonstration/cruise in Boston harbor. And though we were being towed, we were actually under sail for part of the journey.

It was a fantastic “bucket list” experience and I consider myself truly fortunate to celebrate Independence Day aboard America’s Ship of State, a witness to so much United States history and naval history. Likewise, I am truly thankful to be a citizen of the United States and I am thankful for the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women that have stood up and defended our freedom in their service to our country.

I have long held an interest in United States history, United States military history, and naval history. It is difficult to put into words just how excited I was to enter the drawing and to learn that I had actually won an opportunity to sail aboard USS Constitution. I was in NJROTC in high school and I learned a bit about the early history of the United States Navy. I am proud of how the fledgling navy of the United States defended the national interests of the new nation and eventually grew into the biggest and most powerful navy in the world. Had I not been asthmatic and disqualified for military service, there is a very good chance that I would have chosen to serve in the United States Navy.

One of six frigates commissioned to create a new United States Navy, USS Constitution thrilled Americans with her exploits and the valor and competence of her crews. The ship is currently the oldest commissioned warship afloat and, as such, is still crewed by American sailors and naval officers (need to get a few United States Marines stationed aboard too). Her triumphs and the courage of her crews helped ensure our nation’s existence and prosperity.

So let’s hear it for the intrepid sailors and naval officers, past and present, that have served or are serving aboard USS Constitution, as well as the brave United States Marines that have served aboard her.

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

Below is a link to a story about the July 4th sailing by the Boston ABC affiliate, in addition to some photos posted by the USS Constitution’s Facebook account and some personal photos from Independence Day 2022.

https://www.wcvb.com/article/uss-constitution-marks-4th-of-july-with-21-gun-salute-cruise-in-harbor/

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