236th Medical Detachment

Wings

 

Once the wings go on, they never come off;

whether they can be seen or not.  

 

It fuses to the soul through adversity, fear and adrenaline,

 and no one who has ever worn them with pride, integrity

and guts can ever sleep through the "call of the wild" that wafts through the bedroom windows in the deep of the night.  

 

When a good aircrew man leaves the "job" and retires, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others,

who may have already retired, wonder.

 

We wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind,

because we already know.  

 

We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a

longing for those past  times. 

 

We know in the world of flying, there is a fellowship

which lasts long after the flight suits are hung up

in the back of the closet. 

 

We know, even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life.  

 

We also know how the very bearing of a man

speaks of what he was and in his heart still is. 

 

    Because we flew, we envy no man on earth. 

 

              Courtesy of Larry Stidham

 

                    Author  Unknown