joke time

[The Valkyrie]

One morning a navy ship captain receives a message that the mother of one of his crew died.

He calls his first officer over and says, "Seaman McNally's mother has just died and I want you to break the news."

"Yes sir!" says the first officer.

So he gathers the crew on deck in neat rows and shouts, "McNally! Your mother is dead. Dismissed!"

The captain, not surprisingly is shocked about the way it was done and summons his first officer to his office. "How can you be so heartless? I don't want you ever to break tragic news to any crewmen like that again!"

Chastised, the first officer returns to his cabin.

A couple of days later the captain receives news that Seaman Hopkin's father has died and calls his first officer to his office.

"Seaman Hopkins' father has just died and I want you to break it to him. But remember what I said about just blurting it out."

"Yes, sir!" replies the first officer.

So, once again he gathers the crew on deck in neat rows.

Then with a loud voice he says, "All those with a father, step forward! Not so fast, Hopkins!"