It seemed fitting that today, Memorial Day, Irish Hurricane followed the 72-foot classic yacht Independence from Coinjock through Norfolk, home of the largest naval base in the world. As she did yesterday, IH was one of many in a line of boats joined in purpose – going north.
All of us stayed more or less in the same order that we departed Coinjock. Every time our flotilla reached a barrier, the boats went into a holding pattern – at a drawbridge, a swing bridge, a lock, and two railroad lift bridges. Finally we spread out and went our separate ways as the Elizabeth River widened into Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay lay ahead.
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There was a delay at the lock when a single-screw trawler had trouble maneuvering to the wall. Pete jumped ashore – IH was already tied up with engines secured – and jogged barefoot to help the lockmaster bring the trawler alongside. Katie was jealous he got to go ashore. I felt proud to have a husband who sees and responds to another person’s need for assistance.
It seems like a small thing. Offering a hand to a fellow traveler. It’s not. In this way, on a global scale, the world becomes its best self. It is this attitude that has kept liberal democracy alive.
Freedom isn’t free, as we all learned in elementary school. Or should have. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, which was a popular 19th century aphorism and thus may have been spoken by Thomas Jefferson. However, the actual quote is attributed to the Irish orator John Philpot Curran; I take it the context was Irish independence from Britain.
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Norfolk was less busy than usual today. I finally realized everyone was off for the federal holiday. The shipyards were quiet. The waterway was absent most of the tug/ barge/ ferry/ security boat traffic we’ve seen before. We passed an aircraft carrier in drydock. I imagined jets taking off and landing under fire in a war zone.
I imagined the number of sailors – and marines, airmen, soldiers, and yes Coast Guardsmen – who never came home from action.
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We docked around 1630. I am glad IH is moored safely. Glad we have reached the end of the Atlantic Intracoastal and are standing into the Lower Chesapeake. It is Memorial Day – the unofficial start of summer. The day the pools open. But it’s more.
I am glad to have had the opportunities I have growing up and now growing old in America. I recognize those opportunities cost millions of Americans their lives. On Memorial Day I feel deep gratitude for the women and men, drawn from any group you can name, who gave their lives for our country. Who gave their life for me.
Irish Hurricane 