Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Eshleman | 200817-N-EV253-1059.jpg ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 17, 2020) Culinary Specialist Senior...... read more read more
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ARCTIC CIRCLE – Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) recently took part in one of the Navy’s rarest line-crossing ceremonies.
“Avast Thomas Hudner and heave to,” said “Davey Jones” via the ship’s 1MC. “Prepare ye ship to receive his Royal Majesty Boreas Rex and King Neptune, Emperor of all the oceans and seas. I, Davey Jones, have taken control of ye ship and relieve your captain of his duties due to the counting of warm bodies unfit for the Arctic amongst the crew. His Royal Majesty Boreas Rex will gladly welcome you into his realm, that is, if the crew be willing to pay the toll.”
While participating in Canadian Operation Nanook-Tuugaalik, USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) crossed into the Arctic Circle and into the Realm of Boreas Rex, King of the North, for the first time in its nautical life when the Quartermaster of the watch logged the arrival of Rex’s royal party at 0736 in the deck log on Aug. 17, 2020.
The Blue Nose ceremony held Aug. 17, 2020 was arguably the most eagerly anticipated evolution of the mission by the crew of more than 300 Sailors, zealous to earn their coveted spot in the “Order of the Blue Nose”.
“We found out that we were heading to the Arctic for Operation Nanook,” said Quartermaster 1st Class Dane Pace, a participant in the ceremony. “We were excited knowing that we were going to be able to do something so rare in the Navy, and I was so glad to be able add it to my list of unique and wonderful opportunities that I have accomplished during my tenure.”
“I could see the excitement from those that were already Blue Noses every time I saw them,” said Command Master Chief Katie Coleman. “The excitement was infectious! The smile on their face when I would pass them told me I needed to prepare myself for what was coming my way because they were ready!”
The “Order of the Blue Nose” is one of several longstanding Navy traditions, which mandates that un-indoctrinated Sailors, known as “warm bodies”, may only enter the Realm of Boreas Rex once they have proven themselves worthy through a series of team building challenges. The formerly designated Blue Noses from previous Arctic operations – 17 of them onboard – formed the Blue Nose committee and they planned and led the ceremony for their shipmates.
“Having the chance to be a part of the team that was in charge of coordinating this time-honored tradition was just as rewarding and satisfying for us as it was for the Sailors who got to experience the thrills first-hand,” said Sonar Technician (Geological) Chief Petty Officer Keith Lovett.
Lovett, who joined the Order of the Blue Nose in August of 2012 off the coast of Norway aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99), served as the lead for the Blue Nose planning committee, dedicating his off-duty time to ensuring the event went off without a hitch.
“These traditions are a part of the naval history that brought forth the Navy that we now serve in,” said Lovett. “It’s our responsibility to carry them on in honor of those who came before us. These events are not the rough and ragged events of the old days, but they still hold, deep down, a semblance of the original ceremonies where Sailors are tested and Esprit de Corps is built.”
“It’s all about tradition,” said Pace. “Part of what makes the Navy work as well as it does is the traditions. Participating in ceremonies that date back hundreds of years helps us remember where we came from, and why we do the things the way we do. These ceremonies are also fantastic for crew’s morale. It takes our mind off of the stresses of life at sea, it’s a time where we relax our decorum a bit, and embrace a wonderful bonding experience.”
During the Blue Nose ceremony, the leading cast of characters typically is a trio comprised of an Ice Queen, King Neptune and the King of the North himself, Boreas Rex, and they are the entities that officially induct the applicants into the Order of the Blue Nose. During the ceremony aboard Hudner, Coleman stepped into the role of the Ice Queen.
“Naval traditions are an important part of our history that connects past and present generations through ceremonies and sea stories,” said Coleman. “Our crew works hard and the Blue Nose ceremony was a nice way to have a little fun, with Navy tradition and some camaraderie added in. Each Sailor will be able to look back on the memories of becoming a Blue Nose. I think everyone onboard who participated enjoyed the ceremony and are proud to be called a Bluenose.”
Hudner’s leading cast were all un-indoctrinated “warm bodies” themselves, joining Coleman as King Neptune and Boreas Rex after completion of the ceremony and initiation by members of the Blue Nose committee.
“Overall, combining the tradition, cold weather, amazing costumes, committee imagination and energy throughout the crew it was a great day,” said Coleman. “The crew of this ship has been the core of its success and the Blue Nose ceremony was another item to add to the list of memories I will cherish and appreciate. It was a good feeling knowing that it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in, 20-plus years or less than a year, these are memories you won’t forget.”
The principle cast of the ceremony was joined by Sailors playing a slew of characters, including Davey Jones and several Royal Prosecutors. The characters took the prospective Blue Noses through Rex’s challenges before arriving at the Royal Court to receive anointment - a spoonful of vegetable shortening dyed blue with food coloring and painted on the tip of the nose. Following these rights of passage, Boreas Rex deems the “warm bodies” worthy, accepting them into his realm, forever marking them a member of the Order of the Blue Nose:
“You are hereby found worthy,” said Boreas Rex, “to be counted among my Royal sons and daughters and are declared to be a true, tried and trusted, ice and brine encrusted Bluenose. Arise Royal Bluenose, and receive anointment!”
Thomas Hudner is participating in Canadian Operation Nanook-Tuugaalik alongside U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian, French, and Danish Allies to enhance their Arctic capabilities, and meet the requirements outlined in each nation’s respective defense policies.
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2020 15:13 |
| Story ID: | 376432 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 1,986 |
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