Odds, Ends, and Tidbits
The
Messengers
The Poem - saved from the bulletin board where it was originally posted by the principal anonymous author.
The Poem - saved from the bulletin board where it was originally posted by the principal anonymous author.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
A POEM BY AUTHORS UNKNOWN
THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE CASE
TAKEN FROM THE ADAK TRAFFIC FILES
THE LIGHTS WERE RED, SO THEY SAID
BUT THE CAPTAIN DIDN'T HEED 'EM.
THEY SOON APPEARED, BEARING GIFTS,
BUT THE CAPTAIN DIDN'T NEED 'EM.
"TAKE CARE OF THIS," HE THEN REPLIED
TO THE "JG" STANDING NEAR HIM.
AND ALL NIGHT LONG THE "JG" TRIED
TO MAKE THE STATION HEAR HIM.
ALAS, IT CAME TO NO AVAIL
THE TICKET WAS LYING DORMANT.
AND THROUGH THE NIGHT CAME THE WAIL,
"WHO WAS MY INFORMANT?"
THE SUN MAY SET, THE WORLD REVOLVE
AND THE STARS MAY EVER SHINE
AND WE KNOW NOW, OUR EFFORTS NAUGHT,
THE CAPTAIN MUST PAY THE FINE.
BUT THE CAPTAIN DIDN'T HEED 'EM.
THEY SOON APPEARED, BEARING GIFTS,
BUT THE CAPTAIN DIDN'T NEED 'EM.
"TAKE CARE OF THIS," HE THEN REPLIED
TO THE "JG" STANDING NEAR HIM.
AND ALL NIGHT LONG THE "JG" TRIED
TO MAKE THE STATION HEAR HIM.
ALAS, IT CAME TO NO AVAIL
THE TICKET WAS LYING DORMANT.
AND THROUGH THE NIGHT CAME THE WAIL,
"WHO WAS MY INFORMANT?"
THE SUN MAY SET, THE WORLD REVOLVE
AND THE STARS MAY EVER SHINE
AND WE KNOW NOW, OUR EFFORTS NAUGHT,
THE CAPTAIN MUST PAY THE FINE.
The Indestructible "WE!"
In old Japan
That magical land
Across the wine-dark sea
Once upon a time
lived some friends of mine
called the "The Indestructible We!"
They flew through the blue
for old VP-2
in their Neptunes made by Lockheed
they watched ocean and shore
for the trappings of war
to give our boys the info they need.
Through cold or through warm
through calm or through storm
these lads held to their task
through weary and cold
the brave and the bold
never a quarter would ask.
Through the sky they would buss
an adventure it was
and they loved what they did don't you see
if it came to a fight
why what was all right
withe "The Indestructible We."
We all were quite plucky
and certainly lucky
for we lost not a crew on the tour
close calls---quite a few
sometimes overdue
but we all came back begging for more.
Now there was crew five
thank God - they're alive
a prop through their plane did chew
the damage was much
to radar and such
but harmed not a hair of the crew
Joe Chruma was there
with a full head of hair
for all the world to see
That was his initiation
to The Indestructible WE.
The radar man
of the new five clan
A lad named Smith, WD
was a member
in good standing of The Indestructible We.
Then there's Crew Six
who had got in a fix
while rigging a fishing fleet
a piston did crack
throttling back
at about 300 feet
The mast of the fleet
were above my seat
as the jets quickly came on line
Thanks Jones and Black
for bringing us back
from a swim in the cold, salty brine
Then it's back to the base
a shower in haste
and ride by maruchi to town
meet up with the crew
slam down a few brew
feel lucky to still be around
Our only sorrow
was that tomorrow
we'd stand down 'til our next turn
then "out of the way
this is our day"
and off we would turn and burn.
What will come our way
what will happen today
perhaps a sub or a MIG
on the radar - a blip
of a disabled ship
oh please - let it be something big.
Whether out on patrol
or in town on a roll
it was all adventure and fun
we couldn't be beat
on such wing-ed feet
as we took life at the dead run.
At the Orion one night
erupted a fight
there was O'Gara and Finley and me
and though the Irish are tough
was that enough
we took on the Marines you see
but they hadn't a chance
when they chose to dance
with "The Indestructible WE!"
We held the high gound
from the balcony down
to the stairs where they charged to their fate
as they topped the last tread
some knuckles were fed
and a bottle was bounced of their pates.
Oh the chairs were a flyin'
and the Josans were cryin'
and Mamasoan called the shore cop
but when he arrived
the noise did subside
why you could here a pin drop.
The bosun said "Lads
You've been very bad
and there's a price for your sin
So I'll start with you Sarge
the cost of living so large
is the sum of 1000 Yen."
"I'm taking a collection
for this insurrection
from every lad here in this hall."
"So ante up smart
and don't be caught short
or it's down to the brig with you all."
Wiping blood from a knuckle
I heard someone chuchle
and looked about for to see
there behind a table
was Ordnanceman able
a Josan was perched on his knee
He'd slipped away
at the start of the fray
in fact he'd miss the whole show
though he'd missed the whole race
he'd a smile on his face
and she had a little more dough.
Oh those days are long gone
but we linger on
and older but still plucky crew
but there'll come a day
when we'll have to say
"it's over, it's done, I'm through."
And when I've run my race
I'll mee you in that place
across the wine-dark sea
we'll all answer the roll
and fly that last patrol
for the 2nd Squadron VP
the 2nd Squadron VP
composed of "The Indestructible We!"
Mike O'Gara earned this image at auction at the business meeting - and subsequently was given to Joe Ryan.
A couple more contributions by Joe Ryan from the association's archives.
Patrol Squadron Two
There's a lot of planes a flyin'
in the skies up over you
but the ones you wanna watch for
are the boys in VP-2
Now our aircraft is not so pretty
finer planes I could name
But you'll have to get up early
to beat us at our game.
For we all know what we're doin'
and we never miss a trick
Teamwork, trust and confidence
that's what makes us click
For we've been to Whidbey, Kodiak,
Hawaii and Japan
Serving best your country's interest
defending our fair land
Circling high above the waters
like a hungry hawk are we
Searching for the wily "tinfish"
that prowls beneath the sea
Our eyes are keen our talons sharp
Come show yourself my friend
To you death will come swiftly
Your reign is at an end
Then with our mission over
and banking toward the sun
the "Can-Do" Squadron makes it
Another job -- Well Done!
Patrol Squadron II
'Twas in the winter season
all in the ice and snow
We all leave Whidbey Island
and to Alaska go
Where Kodiak lays frozen
and the Williwaw hold sway
As the flyin' sailors wing the way
across to Bristol Bay
Our engines always good and strong
maintained with expertise
Likewise our crew experienced
and do their jobs with ease
We watch the oceans round the world
in weather poor of fine
We help our sailing shipmates
tossing on the foamy brine
And in the Straits of Bering
no tongue
can here describe
the roughness of the weather
the swiftness of the tide
Where ice congeals like mountains
and the Williwaw doth blew
and we poor sons of Neptune
great hardships must go through
Hail, Rain and Thunder
and breakers on each side
O'er these our worthy airship
majestically doth ride
but Hark, one moment, listen
for what I say is true
There's a Neptune overdue,
what's happened to the crew??
Ten there are in number
but had their time now come?
Do you hear that bugle
and the rattle of the drum?
God help those Navy Flyers
bring them safely home once more
and then far in the distance
an engine faintly roars.
Now there's fathers, sons and brothers
that's drowned in the deep
but there'll be no tears on this watch
no sad vigil here to keep
for through the fog, no look you there
is that a Neptune that I see?
Aye lads, booms the Cap'n
and the drinks are all on me.
Joe Ryan, San Antonio 2004