We honor those who served to forge the heritage of the Hospital Corps of the U.S.Navy; in tribute to those who perished and presently serve; and to provide peace and security for America.
AAONHC was first started out as a thought of Joe B. Havens, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman, United States Navy, Retired seeing a need to get all former and presently serving Corpsmen together to rekindle and maintain the comradeship that had developed. As a result of a survey of retired and active duty corpsmen showing a definite need for an organization, the word was put out about the Inaugural Reunion call to muster at The Ridgeway Inn in Memphis, Tennessee, June 16-20, 1994.
It's funny, more ironic, that our reflection on past events allows us to appreciate what others have done for us. For me, it was the men and women of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps who guided me and acted as my mentors in a career that I cherish with sincere pride. Collectively, it is this group of caregiving individuals that have earned the right to wear the red cross of the Pharmacist Mate or caduceus of the Hospital Corps. Their reputation for unselfish service, many times above and beyond the call of duty, is known the world over.
The idea of an association, I felt, was cogent for many reasons. Particularly, to preserve the proud legacy and to let the tradition live in perpetuity to inspire those who come after us. It will be up to them to keep alive the spirit and pride that has garnered international recognition and respect. Guiding the founding of such an association has been a labor of love for me and a way of "giving back" to the community of men and women who have given so much of themselves throughout our history.
I proudly welcome each of you into the association and to the City of Memphis, and salute each of you "Docs" who have borne the sacrifices in peace and in war. It is to you who withstood trials and tribulations, sacrificed on battlefields while serving in the air, at sea, under the sea, and ; who went into "harms way." And, to those who gave their lives, this effort is dedicated with much love and appreciation!
Those of you who served in the military know that those years were among the most intense, unforgetable, and influential of your life. And the largest part of that experience, the part that keeps coming back time and again, is the people - those men and women you served with. Served with? What a strange term. That actually meant eating, working, playing, joking, yelling, suffering and celebrating together, day in and day out. Good times, bad times, great times, boring times, and times that scared you to death. At first you were strangers but you became friends, even with some you might have avoided or never met in "the real world."
But it was more than friendship. Your present sense of camaraderie and nostalgia is not really focused around happy and casual memories like (say) those of high school, but on uncommon bonds forged under ususual conditions. You depended on each other to get the job done; you needed each other to survive battles and boredom, and you came away with an experience known only to those who have been there.
Then, many of you were catapulted from military service directly back into civilian life. After your discharge, you scattered to towns and cities across America. When you try to remember your miitary experience and the people you served with, there are blank spots and a sense of incompleteness because no one is around to remember with you, and there is a lot you have forgotten. Your experiences and thoughts may not be easily shared with people you now love and live with. Friends and family may have long ago begun to yawn over old war stories, never realizing their subtle yet profound importance to you. A reunion offers you a chance to remember, fill in the blanks, rediscover long-lost friends, compare experiences, ask a friend that important question, spend time with someone you had previously overlooked, be with those who understand, and finally put into proper perspective that most profound and powerful part of your life.
(The above was taken in total by hand typing to put here for your information since I don't have a scanner but only Mr. Snappy which I haven't mastered yet which would help to speed this up. The following insert of Navy Hymn (Eternal Father) was copied off the internet.)
The "Navy Hymn"
(Information from The Presbyterian Hymnal Companion by Linda Jo H. McKim, Westminster/John Knox Press, Louisville, Ky. 1993)
The "Navy Hymn" is Eternal Father, Strong to Save. The original words were written as a poem in 1860 by William Whiting of Winchester, England, for a student who was about to sail for the United States. The melody, published in 1861, was composed by fellow Englishman, Rev. John Bacchus Dykes, an Episcopalian clergyman.
The hymn, found in most hymnals, is known as the "Navy hymn" because it is sung at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It is also sung on ships of the Royal Navy (U.K.) and has been translated into French.
Eternal Father was the favorite hymn of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and was sung at his funeral in Hyde Park, New York, in April 1945. It was also played by the Navy Band in 1963 as President John F. Kennedy's body was carried up the steps of the U.S. Capitol to lie in state. Roosevelt had served as Secretary of the Navy and Kennedy was a PT boat commander in World War II.
There are have been alternate verses.
These and their authors are:
Mary C. D. Hamilton (1915)
J. E. Seim (1966)
R. J. Dietrich (1960)
David B. Miller (1965)
Lines 1-4, Merle E. Strickland (1972) and
adapted by James D. Shannon (1973)
Lines 5-6, Beatrice M. Truitt (1948)
L. E. Vogel (1965)
Author unknown
J. E. Volonte (1961)
Galen H. Meyer (1969)
Adapted by James D. Shannon (1970)
Hugh Taylor (date Unk)
Author Unknown (1955)
Author/date Unknown
William Whiting (1825-1878) was born in Kensington, England, and educated at Chapham and Winchester. Because of his musical ability, he became master of Winchester College Choristers' School. While best known for Eternal Father, Whiting also published two poetry collections:
Rural Thoughts (1851) and Edgar Thorpe, or the Warfare of Life (1867). He died at Winchester.
John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) was born in Hull, England, and by age 10 was the assistant organist at St. John's Church, Hull, where his grandfather was vicar. He studied at Wakefield and St. Catherine's College, earning a B.A. in Classics in 1847. He cofounded the Cambridge University Musical Society. He was ordained as curate of Malton in 1847. For a short time, he was canon of Durham Cathedral, then precentor (1849-1862). In 1862 he became vicar of St. Oswald's, Durham. He published sermons and articles on religion but is best known for over 300 hymn tunes he composed. He died in Sussex at age 53.
(Words by Captain Alfred H. Miles, USN, 1907); (Revised lyrics by George D. Lottman.) (Copyright 1907 Robbins Music Corporation, New York, NY)
Stand, Navy, out to sea
Fight our battle cry:
We'll never change our course,
So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.
Roll out the T.N.T.
Anchors A-weigh
Sail on to victory
and sink their bones to Davy Jones, Hooray!
Fare well to college joys,
We said at break of day-day-day-day!
Through out last night on shore,
Drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.
U.S. Navy Hospital Corps- (By: Captain Harry P. Miller, USN, Ret.,Medical Service Corp)
A tradition of service in peace and in war Hallmarked by honor, valor, resourcefulness, Ingenuity and never failing responsiveness To duty call at sea and in the field. These tireless corpsmen never yield In the face of danger or adversity, But carry on their mission of mercy Paying too often the ultimate price, Offering their lives in sacrifice That shipmates might live and return to station In the honored service of our glorious nation. Name the battle; they were there Behind the scenes doing their share. They have made their mark on history's pages, Working efficiently whilst the battle rages - Tending the wounded, oblivious to danger, All things to all men, to none a stranger, At Belleau Wood, Pearl Harbor, Corregidor, Normandy, Truk, the Chosen Reservoir - And in Vietnam were known to swealter Midst the heat and slime of the Mekong Delta, Words are inadequate to express our pride, In the light of history 'tis justified, In the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps- A tradition of service in peace and in war. American Association of Navy Hospital Corpsmen
1997 Membership Application
The American Association of Navy Hospital Corpsmen (AAONHC) is accepting active Memberships and renewels. Eligible Persons are men and women who have served as Pharmacist Mates or Hospital Corpsmen in the United States Naval Service. Also eligible are Navy Physicans, Navy Nurses, Widows and Widowers and those in the Army, Coast Guard or Air Force who served in similar capacity in the United States Naval Service. Please specify Chapter desired to be affiliated with:
EAST_________ CENTRAL________ WEST_____
Contributions to the General Fund are graciously accepted. Dues are $20.00 annually. For further information about the AANOHC, please send a self -addressed, stamped envelope to: Joe B. Havens Homeport Place 43 Pleasant Valley West Greenbrier, AR 72058 Phone/Fax: (501) 679-4980
New Member: _____Yes _____NO ____ New Address Name: ________________________________________________________
Address/Duty Station:________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________________ Telephone:(___)____-__________ 1997 meeting to be held in Sept. in Little Rock, Ark.
CONTACT: AAONHC, 6 Wheelwright Ct. Ballwin, MO.63021 For current information:
