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SUBJ//ANNOUNCING NEW YEARS DAY DECK LOG POEM CONTEST FOR 2022// 
 
POC/NHHC DECK LOG PROGRAM//LOC: WASHINGTON, DC/EMAIL: NHHC_HAD 
_DeckLogs(at)us.navy.mil// 
 
RMKS/1.  The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) is excited to announce 
the annual New Years Day Deck Log Poem Contest for 2022 and calls for 
submissions by 2359 Eastern Daylight Time, 25 February 2022. 
 
2.  Celebratory congratulations to our winners from last year. 
First Place:  USS ROOSEVELT (DDG-80) written by LTJG Jacob C. Singleterry. 
Second Place:  USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG-71) written by FC1 David Sean Willis. 
Third Place:  USS LITTLE ROCK (LCS-09) written by OS1 Charles Casey Smith. 
Thank you to everyone that submitted entries for last years contest. 
We look forward to reading your 2022 entries! 
 
3.  The deck log is the official record maintained by all commissioned U.S. 
Navy vessels.  While regulations normally restrict the types of entries in 
logbooks, the Navy has long held the tradition of the Midnight New Years 
Poem. The first entry of the New Year, written in verse, allows Sailors to 
express their creativity, experience of shipboard life, and pride in their 
command.  To highlight this unique tradition, NHHC will host a New Years Day 
Deck Log Poem Contest. Sailors, we want to hear your voice. 
 
4.  Reviving aspects of our heritage like this time-honored tradition 
enhances our warfighting effectiveness.  As CNO Admiral Michael M. Gilday 
noted in FRAGO 1, As we focus on the future, we will value and celebrate our 
heritage. Harkening back to our heritage connects us with the generations of 
Sailors that came before us, creating a sense of belonging and responsibility 
to uphold their legacy of valor and sacrifice. 
 
5.  The focus of this contest is to celebrate the voices of our Sailors and 
to preserve this Navy tradition.  The contest also reminds the Fleet of the 
importance of the deck log as a historical document, one that preserves for 
future generations the actions and voices of our Sailors. 
 
6.  Contest details: 
    a.  Deadline for submissions is 2359 Eastern Daylight Time, 25 February 
2022. 
    b.  Due to the public-facing nature of the contest, all entries shall be 
unclassified. 
    c.  Submissions will be accepted by email. Email a PDF copy of the deck 
log page(s) with your poem to NHHC_HAD_DeckLogs(at)us.navy.mil. 
    d.  Eligibility.  While it is not uncommon for squadrons and staffs to 
write New Years Day poems in their watchstanding logbooks as well, this 
contest, for now, is limited to commissioned Navy vessels. 
    e.  Poems can be submitted with either an identified or anonymous 
author.  Commanding Officers that would like to recognize the poems author, 
please provide the authors contact information with the submission email. 
In the case of an anonymous author, the command will be recognized and 
receive the award. 
    f.  Selections will be made for first, second, and third place.  First 
place prize is a piece of historic copper sheathing from USS CONSTITUTION. 
Winning entries will be featured on NHHCs website alongside examples from 
generations past. The NHHC Director will also recognize the winners. 
    g.  Winners will be announced in late April in coordination of National 
Poetry Month. 
 
7.  For examples of poems and more information, see NHHCs website: 
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/archives/resources
-for-the-fleet/deck-logs/new-years-contest.html. 
 
8.  For questions, please contact the NHHC Deck Log Program, email: 
NHHC_HAD_DeckLogs(at)us.navy.mil. 
 
9.  Released by Mr. Andrew S. Haeuptle, Director, Navy Staff.// 
 
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