I had wanted to write a much larger and more serious entry about this, but as I've already whined in this space excessively about not having time to post I won't repeat it. So here is the short version.
Thirty years ago today, 29 crewmembers perished aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald, an iron boat making the perilous November passage across Lake Superior. This wreck was significant not only because it was one of the most serious disasters in Great Lakes history, but also because it came at a time when some had started to take for granted safety on the Great Lakes. It carries extra significance here at the Academy because a cadet (like me) was lost as one of the crew. His name was David Weiss and he was in school with many of my instructors, and taught by others.
Today we had a memorial service, which included an honor guard, USCG Flyover, and a recitation of the names. So, if you get the chance, take the time to remember those who lost their lives at sea. Even better, take the time to listen to Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" which is almost as perfect a song as ever was constructed.
And while you're at it, today also happens to be the birthday of the United States Marine Corps, and the day before Veteran's Day. No matter how you may feel about the political commitments our country has made, please also take some time to pay respect to those lost and still with us who served their country, they deserve it.
More info on the Fitzgerald
Boatnerd Site (Also a good source of general info about Great Lakes Shipping)
http://www.ssefo.com/
http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=114&category=events
So many have died for our country. For another person's decision but that is how war goes. Yeah. Honor them. Yeah.
But Gordon Lightfoot has a lot of other great songs too. Just saying.
Keep your boat in the water.
Certainly he has other great songs, but the accomplishment of taking a current event and creating a classic sea song, both in the tradition and surpassing it the way "Wreck" does is a very special thing. Lots of people write great songs (Sundown is fantastic and just one example) but I think "Wreck" is something different from that.
Keep your boat in the water, but not *too far* in the water.