“The Freezing Sea”
Cji
2/3/18
(Prologue:
During the early morning hours of February 3,
1943, at 12:55, Dorchester was torpedoed by German submarine U-223.
The damage was severe, boiler power was lost, and there was inadequate steam to
sound the full 6-whistle signal to abandon ship, and Dorchester sank
by the bow in about 20 minutes. Loss of power prevented the crew from sending a
radio distress signal, and no rockets or flares were launched to alert the
escorts. A severe list prevented launch of some port side lifeboats, and some
lifeboats capsized through overcrowding. Survivors in the water were so stiff
from cold they could not even grasp the cargo nets on rescue vessels.)
(1)
“674 plus 1”
cji
2/3/18
Torpedoed and sinking
electrical power out
generators destroyed
crew and troops 904
only 230 survivors -1
while 674 died this AM
freezing waters 34
degrees
when daylight came
with an awful sight
bodies floating
lifejackets
over turned life boats
horrible was the sight!
(2)
“A Forgotten Day”
cji
2/3/18
Declared by Congress
‘Four Chaplin’s Day’
of course now still
never taught or known
too much time has passed
too many other heroes
died
selfless the acts of the
four
various faith united then
giving their lifejackets
so others might live
can you remember
this day once more
the cost of freedoms
for us then and now
paid by others for us?
(3)
“How Often Repeated”
cji
2/3/18
18,097 lost at sea
sunk by a submarine
mostly military troops
multiple nations counted
while civilian crews
others found onboard
who gave their lives
in doing their duty
while under the seas
submarines doing duty
torpedoes without names
much as which bullet
carried death in flight
how often repeated
how often repeated!
(4)
“Hypothermia”
cji
2/3/18
To survive the sinking
left adrift in the ocean
hearing cries of others
wanting to give aid
somehow unwilling
feeling lost in feet
then legs gone numb
soon loss of control
then the fading cast
unable to see about
still conscious losing
hypothermia winning
till meaningful sleep
into the eternal realms
having crossed the veil
having crossed the veil!
(5)
“The Dorchester”
cji
2/3/18
The only US Transport
lost
with over 150 killed on
broad
massive is this loss
mourned
at the time and still
today
casualty of wars fought
when men/women lust
power and dominion
will we even remember
so much no longer taught
freedom’s paid for in
blood
by those unknown to many
prayed for by but a few!
“The Freezing Sea”
cji
2/3/18
(Epilogue:
Having ever been cold
falling within the mass
losing feelings/control
breaking the surface
without breath to scream
swallowing the icy water
panic within the eyes
comprehending to live
knowing otherwise to die
within the freezing sea!)
Copyright
© 2018 – cji
'Chuck' Charles J. Ingerson, CPCM, Fellow (NCMA)
Where one has been given a Testimony of Jesus Christ much has
been given and we’ve two premises:
“Now this gives us two premises. On the one hand we are
obligated and required to know the doctrines of the Church. We are to treasure
up the words of eternal life. We are to reason as intelligently as we are able.
We are to use every faculty and capacity with which we are endowed to proclaim
the message of salvation and to make it intelligent to ourselves and to our
Father’s other children. But after we have done that, and also in the process
of doing it, we are obligated to bear testimony—to let the world know and our
associate members of the Church know—that in our hearts, by the revelation of
the Holy Spirit to our souls, we know of the truth and divinity of the work and
of the doctrines that we teach. Bruce R. McConkie April 1973” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1973/04/upon-judeas-plains?lang=eng
“Father
loves us dearly each day a new sunrise-sunset – with music and adornments – we
can chose to love Him more dearly – but being obedient to Him always – or …
what? To follow the world expecting what? Love teaches – trials and
tribulations – so we too then teach of eternal life and the Gospel of His Only
Begotten Son.” Cjingerson 12/31/17
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