A/N: Better late than never...
"Farewell and Thank You"
October 13, 2017...
There she was, silently weeping atop USS Iowa's Turret 1. It pained her so much, being an immortal spirit, as she can only watch as those dear to her pass on.
Iowa was sitting on the turret roof, hugging her legs as she wept into her lap.
"Iowa?"
The Shipgirl looked up and saw the two blonde heads of New Jersey and Wisconsin, along with the brunette head of Missouri, as they climbed onto the turret. Iowa stood up and let her sister ships walk to her.
"We got the news…" New Jersey said solemnly. Missouri and Wisconsin echoed the feeling through their body language.
"He was sure dear to all of us," Missouri said.
"He helped fit the antennas on me in time for Vietnam," New Jersey reminisced.
"He directed designing for your '80s retrofit," Wisconsin added. "Which was later used on all of us."
"He helped reactivate us all," Missouri said. "Gave us a second chance in a time when battleships are obsolete."
"He founded DREADNAUGHT COUNSELING," Iowa said. "Dedicated to saving battleships from scrap."
The three younger sisters looked at their lead.
"He…He saved me from scrap," Iowa said with a teary smile. "He helped make me a museum ship."
"Naval Architect," New Jersey said.
"Long Beach Naval Ship Yard Legend," Wisconsin added.
"Our friend," Missouri finished.
All four sisters looked up and held their arms up to the heavens. Each of them had a handful of soft flower petals.
"Mr. Richard Langraff…" Iowa said.
"Farewell," they all said with smiles.
They opened their hands, the white petals floating away on the wind.
"And thank you."