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TO TOUCH THE PAST!
In a cold and lonely lot, the old ship
rest,
A ship that served proudly, she was the best!
A metal crusher was to be her fate,
Until someone saw her,
rescuing her before it was to late.
Overhauling her was expensive and parts hard to find,
Rebuilding her to airworthy state, manuals that blew your mind.
She took to the air, she spread her wings,
To fly was her goal, and her skin still showing scars and dings.
On a Grand Mission, with grace she flew,
On landing, ole soldiers clapped, her history they knew.
With her blades tied down, they rushed to her side,
Emotions ran deep,
The ship standing defiant, full of pride.
Some ole soldiers, touch her with love,
Some don't touch her, but treat her with kid gloves!
Hands lean against her delicate skin, head bowed, they begin
to weep,
Memories of the fallen, Rest Oh brothers in eternal sleep!
She saved the lives of many a grunt,
She killed the enemy, on the great VC hunt.
She carried the load that we were unable,
Straining with that heavy load on hook and cable.
Her guns are silent now,
She flies friendly airspace,
I would mind going back to war in her, in any case.
The smells of JP-4 and the sweet exhaust smell,
I would crew her again, I would fly her into hell!
She is not just an aircraft, but an honored icon,
She did everything from hauling grunts to Recon.
Though her cargo floor are washed clean,
The blood of crewmen still stains her, know what I mean?
Just to touch her and feel the rush of emotion,
To help bring closure, to set healing in motion!
To say a warm farewell,
To a ship that has been through Vietnam's hell!
#
Copyright 2002 Marvin Camp
EMail: cobra070@earthlink.net
Member VHCMA and Heli-vets
Army, 101st Abn Div. Vietnam 70-71
4/77th ARA, HHB and Cbtry
Camp Evans I corps, Doorgunner and Crewchief
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