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2004 Reunion - San Antonio Odds, Ends, and Tidbits |
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![]() The
Messengers
![]() The Poem - saved from the bulletin board where it was originally posted by the principal anonymous author. |
The
Text of the Poem 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. |
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Talent
abounds amongst our group - Here is a contribution by Joe Ryan, Poet
and Auctioneer. 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 |