midday
There were no fireworks , no parades , nor bands playing the national anthem . The day opened squally , and sharp gusts of rain swept the decks . The usual routine of work was proceeded with , and it was not until eight bells -LRB- noon -RRB- that we fully realized the date . At exactly midday a salute of twenty-one guns was fired , and those of us who were super-patriotic , took off our caps in honor of the flag . That ended the ceremony . `` Never mind , '' said Tommy , when one of the boys bewailed the meagre celebration , `` never mind , shipmate . There 's a good time coming when we can whoop ` er up for Old Glory as much as we please .