I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: There, she is gone!
Gone where?

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: There, she is gone! there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: Here she comes!

And that is dying.

Henry Van Dyke

December, 2002

Dear Kay,

On behalf of all the shipmates that proudly served aboard the USS Perry DD-844 let me extend a special thank you for the Ship's Bell you contributed to the Perry in honor and memory of your Dad. Just as I know your Dad had a place in his heart for the Perry, we will always have a place in our hearts for him.

When we ring his BELL at our Reunion memorial services to acknowledge all the Perry shipmats who have sailed on, Bill will once again be with the shipmates that helped build the many fond memories he held for the Perry.

Warmest regards,
Steve Silk