OSC Joel Wifler

Another Sunday, another relaxing day at sea. Mostly movies all day. Sent one report for Doctor. The rest is history.

Commence Field Day. Clean, check, and clean again. Soogie party (aka: fresh water wash down of the ship) to be held this afternoon.

Set Special Sea Detail. Secure from SSD. Set SSD. Secure SSD…Semper Gumby. Set SSD. Whistle sounds moored port side for a brief logistics stop. Single up all lines. Stand clear of mooring lines while the OOD tests propulsion. Whistle blows and we’re on to our next destination.

I think the press release issued today said it all. Ground breaking history. Celebrated with a few games of spades and wound up staying up until 4AM. What was I thinking? So we’re enjoying a “few days off” if you could call it that. We’re still at sea, but enjoying some well deserved R & R.

Slept in due to the late night/morning activities. Missed breakfast and lunch. Settled for a packet of Easy Mac and a cookie to help choke down the daily pill. Was planning on catching a few rays this afternoon, but the decks were mysteriously secured as I was suiting up. Perhaps tomorrow. A Cutterman Call was held today for all CG Cuttermen on board to revise and finalize our required knowledge and qualification processes for all those who strive to achieve this seaworthy designation. I believe the XO summarized it best by stating we who wear the insignia are the ones who can answer your questions about the ship. A who/what/when/where/how catch all of nautical knowledge and experience pertaining to our floating home and work place. Now I’m back on phone watch.

Played cards until 5AM this morning. I’m not sure what’s motivating this, but it’s a fun way to pass the time. Woke up to an accountability call (making sure I’m still on board) and caught a light lunch. I’ve just been informed to anticipate a swim call in 20 minutes. We must be ahead of schedule, so I’m off to take a dip.

A final meeting of the honorable shellbacks was held today in order to tie up any loose ends and to ensure the ceremony goes safely. Tonight is Casino night, always a favorite for mostly all hands. Along with the traditional poker and blackjack, some nautical games joined in. Ship, Captain, & Crew, War, Rock Paper Scissors, Blind Man’s Bluff, Pick a number. An interesting pool of fun. Prizes were raffled off at 500 units per ticket. 1st place, dinner with the Captain. 2nd place awarded a DVD, and 3rd was a jump rope. We also took the opportunity to commemorate the birthdays of ten of our crew from May thru June. I think it was ten, I’m trying to visualize how many individual cakes the cooks baked.

Davy Jones has arrived…all hail King Neptune and his royal court. Let the festivities begin!

SN Jason Evans

Heaven or Bliss? There is never a choice In life given to servitude Only the amount of conviction Chosen to execute Never the less A question always forms Whether to succeed or fail Which is right? How will one know? Tis natural for the mind And heart to disagree   Not all commands are lawful Though many could be Not all men are honorable Though many should be Right and wrong Are as night and day Love and hate both fade away Thus, every moment Though our life Is given to servitude We must always make the choice But, to which is right?

---

EM3 Patrick Byan

Life at sea. Once you get past the close quarters, strenuous work, the often unbearable heat of the Mains in the Engine room as the cutter slices through unforgiving seas at all ahead Flank, and the overcoming urge to turn vegetarian after the countless days of vast variations of CHICKEN....you can almost find a certain calm; serenity. You can find it on the bridge as the sun starts to make its first appearance while the quiet members of the early watch fight the temptations of welcome slumber to haplessly urge the ship and crew as one to roar to life for another day at sea. You can find it in the spirits of the young Newbies and Greenhorns, to finally have left the nest to anxiously and excitedly take on and explore the world and to know what it is to put forth a hard honest day's work for that minuscule government stipend. You find it in the thick brown stains of that salty chiefs coffee mug, as he passes down sea tales of way back when to an eager group of young sailors. And, truly my favorite, you can find it on the fantail under a moonless night blanketed with the most awesome universe of galaxies and stars that continues to mesmorise the saltiest of salts, where a lone sailor can find his peace in the gentle rocking, clear his mind, and forget the turmoils of the world we so thoughtlessly place our lives on the line for every day. That's my life at sea. ~ EM3 Patrick Byan

---

Photos

EM3 Calvin Norris is using a fluke multi-meter to trouble shoot a contact for the ships hot water heater.

YN2 Rob Jones (left) and SN Jeremy Korenoski (right) ham for the camera at the ship's store.

A crewmember looks at the Cape Verde countryside while Dallas pulls into port.

Dallas crewmembers volunteered to repaint a school in Mindelo, Cape Verde June 6.

BMC James Moerls drives a Cape Verdean flagged small boat with the Dallas behind him.

FS2 Jessica Holland prepares hot rolls for Texas night aboard Dallas.

ETC Feuge serves SN Robby Blanton steak, potatoes, corn and hot rolls during "Texas Night" aboard Dallas.

MK2 Alan Standly throws the lasso during Texas Night aboard Dallas. Standly was the champion rangler.

SN Moira Casey (left) and MK3 Kristen Esters arm wrestle during the arm wrestling morale event on Texas night. Esters took the championship and won a DVD.

ET3 Andrew Boscarillo (left) defeated SK1 Jason Parrish (right) for the arm wrestling championship aboard Dallas.

Crewmembers man the rail while pulling into Praia, Cape Verde.

Captain Robert Wagner gives a press brief to members of the Praia media.

SNBM Ryan Frazier stands in a line of "sideboys" while guests arrive on Dallas.

SN Blake Gwinn prepares the wardroom for a special-guests lunch.

SN Jason Evans stands guard on Dallas' fantail.

Third-Class Cadet Julie Harwood wipes out a bowl while mess cooking aboard Dallas.

Dallas plaque.

Deck force mans the rail.