One Hundred and One Eagles Fly

[Raggedy Ann]

I recently found this poem that I found appropriate for all you Airborne veterans. Enjoy.

ONE HUNDRED AND ONE EAGLES FLY

Tribute to the 101st Airborne, U.S.Army

One hundred and one Eagles fly,
away from their nest and mother's eye.
Their wings grow strong
as they soar along,
learning to protect and defend.
They search the sky with a watchful eye.
Wherever there's danger,
You know they're nearby.
Their freedom is threatened,
Both near and far;
Then with a loud scream,
You can hear them "HOOAH".
They fight and they conquer
the enemies they face.
They hold their heads high
with honor and grace.
Rendezvous with destiny,
never afraid to die.
When one hundred and one Eagles fly.


Author unknown

[frisco-kid]

Thanks, Ann.

[Bill Farnie]

Ditto

[Robert Ryan]

I was with the C-1/501st at Fort Campbell, not Airborne qualified, I was Air Assault qualifed. But sure was proud to be a member of the 101st. And now I am a card carrying member of the 101st Airborne Associaton Screaming Eagles.

[WateringHole]

During the late 60's or early 70's, there was a song I'm pretty sure was sung by "Eric Burton And The Animals" which they was referring to the airborne units in Vietnam and I don't recall the name of the song, but I still remember bits and pieces of it. The beginning of it begins with a Priest blessing the troops before they leave for patrol:

"He bless the boys as they stand, the smell of gun grease with their bayonets they shine. He there to help them all he can, to make them feel wanted that he's a good Holy Man".

The song continues with them saying "sky diver" three or four different times, then continuing to the secong verse which I don't remember the word to. I was wondering if any of you fellas remember that song and if you do, what was the name of it.

BTW Raggady Ann....That's a beautiful poem you posted. Quite sure all the Airborne Fellas will enjoy it.

[frisco-kid]

The song was "SKY PILOT," which was slang for a chaplain. Not sure it pertains to an airborne unit, but is definately set in VN.



Artist: Animals
Song: Sky Pilot
Album: Best Of 1966-68
[" Best Of 1966-68 " CD]

He blesses the boys as they stand in line
The smell of gun grease and the bayonets they shine
He's there to help them all that he can
To make them feel wanted he's a good holy man
Sky pilot.....sky pilot
How high can you fly
You'll never, never, never reach the sky

He smiles at the young soldiers
Tells them its all right
He knows of their fear in the forthcoming fight
Soon there'll be blood and many will die
Mothers and fathers back home they will cry
Sky pilot.....sky pilot
How high can you fly
You'll never, never, never reach the sky

He mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile
The order is given
They move down the line
But he'll stay behind and he'll meditate
But it won't stop the bleeding or ease the hate

As the young men move out into the battle zone
He feels good, with God you're never alone
He feels tired and he lays on his bed
Hopes the men will find courage in the words that he said
Sky pilot.....sky Pilot
How high can you fly
You'll never, never, never reach the sky

(Interlude)

You're soldiers of God you must understand
The fate of your country is in your young hands
May God give you strength
Do your job real well
If it all was worth it
Only time it will tell

In the morning they return
With tears in their eyes
The stench of death drifts up to the skies
A young soldier so ill looks at the sky pilot
Remembers the words
"Thou shalt not kill"
Sky pilot.....sky pilot
How high can you fly
You never, never, never reach the sky

[WateringHole]

Thanks for that input frisco.

Yea, forgot about those Brit rock groups using slangs in their music that the Americans are not familiar with.
You recall when the Beatles sung that song "Helter Skelter" and Charles Manson and his hippie friends though they was singing about destroying everything and start all over again ?
Just so happen "Helter Skelter" is the British slang for a sliding board, the same kind of sliding board you find children playing on in school yards and parks. Thats the Helter skelter the Beatles was singing about.
OH well, I guess if all you have to do is hang around some old crusty ranch smoking weed and snorting coke all day long and have young teenage girls hanging around just to make you feel good day after day like Charlie did, than I guess it's quite obvious you'll misinterpret the story behind a song you hear on the radio now and then.