Two sailors stand by at the American flag that flies at the stern, one at the ship's flag flying from the bow. A bosun's whistle blows. The cannon booms an instant later. The sailors stand at attention and gently lower and gather in the flags while a bugler plays. The sailors from these ships strike their own colors and salute their own flags in unison with the firing of Old Ironsides' sunset cannon.
Big guys are punctual.
As the sun drifts gradually south toward summer solstice, we go to the Navy Yard a little later each night. The sailors always fire the gun on time. You can count on big guys. They're always there. They'll always do what you expect them to.