Authored by Bruce J. Herman, CDR, USN (Ret)
Rotating beacon is off, no flight quarters to
sound, but another AC is retirement bound.
Tonight we'll crack a keg or two,
gather 'round, drink a toast to you:
We'll toast close intervals, airborne refueling,
accurate ramp times, days that were grueling.
We'll lift our mugs to no-gyros, no TACAN, no radio,
unsafe gear, sometimes laughter, sometimes fear.
We'll toast eve-day-mids, lost aircraft found,
radar hand-offs, the quick turnarounds.
We'll toast liberty calls, the fun we had,
past Shipmates, times both good and bad.
So with this toast we bid a fond farewell….
your "time on position" has passed.
And regardless of what the future holds,
these memories with you shall truly last.