USS Patrick Henry SSBN 599 – Give Me Liberty or Give Me death!

USS Patrick Henry

“I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.”

As a sailor who sailed on a number of submarines and ships, I can assure you there is no sweeter word that “Liberty”. I have to be honest with you and say that I probably uttered that famous phrase more than one time under my breath after working seemingly endless hours to repair and maintain any one of those seagoing units. As a Chief Petty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer, I am sure that more than one of my crewmembers said the same thing just out of earshot. Liberty is the sweet reward for all sailors at the end of a hard day or week. But our temporary liberty pales in comparison to the liberty Patrick Henry was seeking.

I can think of no more inspiring words that…