35 Years

35 years ago,
and one day.
Ghostrider 368,
found the price they had to pay.

Vung Ro Pass,
its dangers well known.
Twas a killer of aircraft,
and the crews that belonged.

Fly convoy cover,
or resupply the firebase.
Thru this pass,
you must make haste.

Beauty is the site,
mountains, ocean and the trees.
Killer you are,
you take your fees.

Onward flew Ghostrider 368,
they had a job to do.
Fly around the mountain,
ammo was needed by the few.

Bring the mail,
and replacements for the dead.
Bring fresh water,
You found death instead.

Into the trees,
exploding into fire.
Into the ground,
rotor blades did mire.

Bodies ripped apart,
legs, arms, and heads
burnt body parts,
we found parts instead.

Into C rat boxes,
what we could find.
we brought you home,
the same you would do in kind.

We knew who was flying,
the collective still in your hand.
Twas easy to tell,
by the wedding band.

Today I drink for you,
I still hear your laughter.
You were my friends,
see you in the hereafter.

For if there is a God,
and he is just,
We shall fly again,
laughing into the dust.

© April 2007 Fred Alvis