Apache Snow

If I could get in a Space Ship,
And travel back through time.
I'd go to 'Knox in '68
To see some Friends of mine.

1st of Alpha, A-10-5,
Marching to and fro,
Sing'n "Sip'n Ci-der through a straw."
Their favorite Song you know.

And as I join Formation,
Warm feelings come back then.
I finally recognize my mood.
I feel "Safe" with them again.

And good 'ole Sergeant Jennings
Who was NEVER known to bend.
Gets in my face,
and screams aloud,
"Badger"
"Where the Hell you been?"

Sarge, I've come from 1999,
With a message you should know,
Don't get the 1st,
In a big 'ole scrap,
They call,
"Apache Snow."

My Sergeant looks me over,
And says with a friendly grin,
We don't get to pick our enemys, Son.
We just fight,
And Win.

You cannot win this fight, Sarge
There's something you do not know.
Don't get the 1st,
into that big 'ole fight,
They call,
"Apache Snow."

My Sergeant's eyes are thoughtful,
As he gently rubs his chin,
"I believe you're wrong there Skytroop,
the 101st will win."

"You see we're just a small part, Son,
of a much larger plan.
If we don't go-
then who will?
In this great and wondrous land."

You won't come back, dear Sergeant
I've come back here to let you know.
Don't take the 1st-
into that fight-
They call,
"Apache Snow."

You have your orders, Badger
My Sergeant said to me,
You will be our Rearguard-
Our link with History.

Attention!
Right Face!
Forward march,
now Double Time,

And wouldn't you know.

The Sarge and the 1st-
STILL go to the Fight
They call,
"Apache Snow"!

With love to my "Folks"
3/187,101 Abn, Air Assault
"Class of '68"

Danny "Badger" Crafton

*note: "Apache Snow" was the code name for the battle for Ap Dong bia or more commonly known as "Hamburger Hill."