This was a great Navy depicting two sailors going on Liberty in the Old Navy. Anchors Aweigh U.S. Navy Anthem: Original lyrics written in 1906 by Midshipman First Class Alfred Hart Miles; music by Lieutenant Charles A. Zimmerman. In 1906, Midshipman First Class Alfred Hart Miles approached Bandmaster Lieutenant Zimmerman with a request for a new march or fight song. Midshipman Miles was a member of the Naval Academy class of 1907. Miles and his classmates were eager "to have a piece of music that would be inspiring, one with a swing to it so it could be used as a football marching song, and one that would live forever." The two men reportedly worked out the tune and it was first called "Stand Navy Down The Field". It eventually became the official song for the U.S. Navy. "Aweigh", meaning to raise or hoist, comes from the nautical phrase "to weigh anchor". The current lyrics, as revised by George D. Lottman, were adopted in the 1920s. The 2nd verse is the most well known. Current Version: Stand, Navy, out to sea, Fight our battle cry; We'll never change our course, So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y. Roll out the TNT, Anchors Aweigh. Sail on to victory And sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray! Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh. Farewell to college joys, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay. Through our last night on shore, drink to the foam, Until we meet once more, Here's wishing you a happy voyage home. Rodman Naval Station, fleet support at the crossroads of the world. Rodman Construction on the Naval Station began in 1937 on the west bank of the Panama Canal because the east bank was becoming too crowded. A portion of Rodman, originally called Balboa, was underwater and dredge materials were used to fill in the tidal marsh. In the early days Rodman operated as a submarine base. There were also three piers for visiting ships. In the hey days before 31 December 1999, Rodman was the focal point for operational as well as administrational support of all US Navy Forces deployed within the Southern Command area of responsibility. the above map. The US Navy needed men during World War II. Here is a Recruiting Poster of that time when the entire world was at war. The Panama Canal played a vital role during World War II and Rodman Naval Station was a key player in the United States Navy's push in the Pacific. Here we see the USS Missouri BB-63 at Miraflores Locks making a transit. The year was 1945. The United States Navy wants you! ".... There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyages of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea we are now afloat, and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures." --- William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for a while, leave footprints in our hearts, and we are never, ever the same." --- Unknown Sailors and ships can do that and they will always hear the music as long as they live... The USS Ohio in the Cut (Circa 1915) The US Navy in Panama Too Many Secrets More about my books ... It has been a real pleasure sharing little more about the Old Navy and the Canal Zone. Take care and drop by again. Hasta la Vista. I'm shoving off... US Navy wants you! Well, so long for now... I have to shove off but you have a great Navy Day! Now for some great Sea Stories... Photo Credits: Author, Bill Fall, Montana, US Navy Archives, CZ and PCC Archives Sing and rejoice, tra-la-la, for fortune is smiling upon you!