I retired from the Air Force.
Flew only in a plane.
For Navy ships to get around
it must take lots of rain.
Lots of water is necessary
for you folks to fare.
You drive around on top of the water.
In the Air Force we just use hot air.
I know a more about the Air Force
than I will ever learn about the Navy.
Bet we had the same breakfast.
Stuff on a shingle resembling gravy.
The Air Force tried to teach me
that it was a weapon and not a gun.
But after one day in Vietnam
call it what you want but I wanted to run.
In the Air Force terminology
it was to go to the latrine.
My first major job classification
was keeping that place clean.
I heard that in the Navy
one must go to the head.
Seems kind of silly to flip a coin.
With my luck to tails I'd be wed.
In the Navy cooks bake bread
in a place you folks call a galley.
The Air Force eats in a mess hall.
Even have cooks named Sally.
Front, back, left and right
in the Air Force I did learn.
Seems I read you use words
like port, bow, starboard and stern.
I thought port is something you drink.
Bow is a bending of the waist.
Stars on a board was a general's rank.
A stern is where you exit in haste.
In the Air Force air is
where our planes fly.
Water was for swimming
unless one wanted to keep dry.
But the Navy flies on the water
in a boat. Or is it a ship?
Me, I would end up by that rail
with a blue face using a tight grip.
Army, Air Force or Navy
our goal was always the same.
We all had a certain job to do
and it did not matter our name.
Another generation is now in charge
of protecting our flag and land.
I proudly salute you all.
That job is now in your hand.
My hat is off to all you folks
who on holidays work with little rest.
If I may borrow from Jackie Gleason,
I say, "YOU ARE THE GREAT-EST".
Sent to the troops aboard the S.S. Vinson
back during Operation Desert Storm
