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BHR Sailors, Marines Become Golden Shellbacks

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050526-04
Release Date: 5/26/2005 10:54:00 AM

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Walter T. Ham IV, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

INTERNATIONAL DATELINE AND EQUATOR (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) (LHD 6) joined the ranks of Golden Shellbacks May 21, as the ship crossed the international dateline and equator while sailing back into the Northern and Western hemispheres.

BHR recognized the event in true celebratory fashion. Commencing with a cleansing celebration on the flight deck, Sailors and Marines were anointed with a fine mist of the warm, tropical waters drawn from the ocean in the vicinity of the line.

“It was a great celebration of this important passage,” said BHR Commanding Officer Capt. J. Scott Jones. “All of our Sailors and Marines joined the esteemed ranks of Golden Shellbacks, and they did it in a fun and dignified way.”

BHR’s First Class and Staff Sergeant’s Mess summoned the Shellback Royal Court for the celebration, taking on the personas of Davey Jones and King Neptune. The “Crossing the Line” celebration was followed by a steel beach picnic on the flight deck, hosted by the Bonhomme Richard’s chief and senior non-commissioned officer’s mess.

“Those of us who had been received into the Realm of the Raging Main with the traditional ceremonies of the past felt compelled to join our fellow Sailors and Marines in cleansing ourselves of past transgressions against his royal highness King Neptune,” said Jones. “The ways of old are gone. As we move to the future, we need to find new and meaningful ways to celebrate our great tradition and rich naval heritage. I think we did just that as everybody on board commented. What a great day it was.”

The San Diego-based Bonhomme Richard, the flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group 5, is on the return leg of its Western Pacific and Persian Gulf deployment that began Dec. 6.