Donald Peters

For twenty years, this sailor has stood the watch.
While some of us were in our bunks at night, this sailor stood the watch.
While some of us were in school learning our trade, this sailor stood the watch.

Yes, even before some of us were born into this world, this sailor stood the watch.
In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history, this sailor stood the watch.
Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there, needing his guidance and help, needing that hand to hold during those hard times, but still he stood the watch.

He stood the watch for twenty years.
He stood the watch so that we, our families, and our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety each and every night knowing that a sailor stood the watch.
Today we are here to say, "Shipmate you stand relieved; we have the watch."

Boatswain, standby to pipe the side. Shipmate's going ashore.