Bismore Park

TRADITION REIGNS SUPREME

TIMOTHY M. COOPER, USN

HOMETOWN: MARSHFIELD MA

GRADUATE: MMA CLASS of '92

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: C.O.   USS CONSTITUTION

If you're wondering why the mention of this fine young sailor, I and many others salute him for standing up the "Chardonnay swilling elite" and putting tradition before appeasement.

As reported in the Boston Herald "... unidentified neighbors had asked Cooper to reduce the size of the gunpowder charge, turn down the national anthem and eliminate weekend ceremonies altogether...."

The report goes on to say, "The neighbors invited Cooper over for a glass of wine to hear the noise himself, saying - a tradition dating to 1798 - were "much more disruptive to the neighborhood than (he) might have imagined."

CDR Cooper's reply: "I appreciate the spirit in which it was offered, but I think it was best to communicate through official correspondence rather than a sit down."

After trying to accommodate the neighbors with reduced charges the Captain deemed it just wasn't the same.

"We sent (the neighbors) a letter saying that after reviewing their request, we decided we're not going to make any changes to the tradition."

 They called her 'Old Ironsides".

SO TODAY, WHEN THE SUN IS OVER THE YARDARM AND WE SIT SAFELY ON THE VERENDA, PLEASE RAISE YOU GLASS IN HONOR OF THIS FINE SAILOR!