My Hero Flew a Huey

My hero flew a Huey
-Renee Peyregne

The utility ‘copter that dominated Vietnam
She carried troops and was equipped for bomb’s
The gunner in the side door was always sure
That her flight was guaranteed true and pure

She would decimate when she was needed
Then swoop in and save troops that pleaded
She was named after the brave Iroquois people
Whose bravery in time of war made them lethal

Not unlike our thick-skinned short-body war machine
Who heroism was shown with grace covered in OD Green
She entered service and stood proud with the 101st and 82nd
Stout, equipped and ready for the coming Armageddon

She fought valiantly alongside her soldier brothers
Ensuring that many were able to go home to their mothers
At times when the battlefield was eerily still and quiet,
Her Thump, Thump could be heard flown by a brave Army pilot

How we miss our flying green goddess of war
Flown by the Army, Airforce and Marine Corps
She was witness to much mayhem and death
Crying for pilots and soldiers who took their last breath

After the battle was over, she faded with grace and humility
To be seen less and less even though she never lost her ability
She can be seen here and there around the world
2016 the Army mourned for the last blades that whirled

The UH-1, Huey, or Iroquois; her names were many
Did me a great favor during her many conflicts a plenty
She guarded, carried and protected someone special
Keeping him safe and warm within her green metal

I speak of my dad who befriended a lady named Huey
And stuck with her for years in her cockpit so roomy
She ensured that he returned home to me each time
And was a companion to him in her prime

No need to say that a pilot was he
He was my hero who flew a Huey