ode to the

PHANTOM

I met you many years ago,
You were quite young then.......I too.
Known round the world,
Your name instilled fear, respect
To all of those who knew.
Together, we've fought many battles,
Many places, many times.
We showed 'em, what we could do.
I touched your skin, your soul, felt your heart pound,
I saw you ease, fearless, into the beckoning blue.
I watched you when you returned, sometimes I cried.
Each time one of you was lost,
Part of me also died.
Gray, I am now, you too.
Our prime has past, many teens anew.
I've known all your kids,
from B to G, the RF too.
I've shined your guns, and armed your tanks,
Loaded your TERS and MERS
AIM 9s and 88s adorned your wings,
I remember those times we flew.
Thirty years now, we won't quit,
Tomorrow brings something new,
Always, another mission, a unique task,
For us old farts to do!

written by
MSgt. Robert F. Clinton
1991

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