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Country Song Tells the Experience Navy Sailors Have When They Go To Sea.

2026-07-03 News & Politics
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David Hoffman
David Hoffman
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Description

You can see the full film here. https://youtu.be/Rhf5zyvBYFM So back in 1986 I was making a primetime television special on the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy going to sea and the sailors who were making the voyage. I had selected several individual sailors to follow during their last days at home and their 1st days at sea. And then my crew of 4 cameramen, some on board the Kennedy and some on land, set up to film those last moments and what we saw and recorded was beautiful, touching, very very real. So how do I express the power, the sadness, the honor, the patriotism shown that day between the sailors and their wives and children? The footage was spectacular but it needed something more. I came up with the idea of a song that spoke some of the words that I had heard from sailors along the way. The song was written by two friends of mine with the country music style, my favorite when expressing these kinds of feelings. When the Navy heard the song, they loved it and played it for sailors across the world. In addition, a Navy band took up the song which is called "Second Home" and began to sing it at events. The film is kind of a classic now and many retired Navy veterans have it in their collection. I want to thank the men of the John F. Kennedy for what they showed my team and I and how they made us, during the week we spent on board, a part of the Navy experience.

Top Comments (10)

@freedomhiking4050 2026-07-03

you need to get the presidential medal !! Can we all do a petition so David can get the recognition he deserved... ? Best regards from Sweden

10 1 replies
@DrewPall259 2026-07-04

Excellent job you and your crew did on filming this documentary. Touching song your colleague wrote. This is another film you should be proud of making 😊🧡✌

8
@gracelandone 2026-07-04

One of your most touching pieces, sir. Showing we who may not have a family member in harm’s way, the sacrifices of those who do. Thank you.

7
@PlasmaExplosion 2026-07-03

I lived this. 😢 The Kennedy was stationed at Norfolk. We were in San Diego at the 32nd Street base, Spruance-class Destroyer. Watched my husband leave for those 6-8 month long West-Pac tours. It was brutal. It's more than missing them. It's the worry. Watching this is like being transported back in time, it really is. Wow, thank you, David. God bless our current military AND the families who wait with worry for their safe return. ❤🫡🇺🇸

6
@Budwontdo 2026-07-03

I miss when country singers thought of themselves as storytellers

5
@rosesperfumelace 2026-07-03

Capturing the past visually and in song is most important for future generations ❤thanks david!!

5
@lindawild6568 2026-07-03

My dad, who would have been 100 years old yesterday, proudly served in the United States NAVY during WWII, (he was just 16 years old when he joined the Navy because of Pearl Harbor), and then he also fought in the Korean War! He will always be my Hero !

5
@RandyMahr-hg7rm 2026-07-04

God bless all the men and women at sea tonight.

4 1 replies
@kstinger1761 2026-07-03

Served during that era. Did that many times. Always the toughest part of the job. BZ, well done.

4
@gracehope7 2026-07-04

Awww that first family, the little boy saying, “Can I go with you?” 😘

2

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