A ship's decommissioning ceremony is a formal occasion that terminates the active Naval service life of a ship. The hauling down of the colors and the first order to secure the watch marks the end of service as a warship. This symbolic act also ends the continuing chain of responsibility, authority and accountability that passes on through each generation of succeeding Commanding Officers and crew. Upon decommissioning the ship is no longer the responsibilty of the Commanding Officer and ceases to be a commissioned vessel of the United States Navy. The officers and crew march off and carry out their orders to report to other ships and other stations. The ship passes into history but lives on in the memories of those who served in her.