Had one of those little minutes that had a big impact.

[Gearhead]

LIGHTNINGS IN THE SKY

Oh, Hedy Lamar is a beautiful gal, Madeline Carroll is too.
But you’ll find if you query a much different theory amongst any bomber crew
That the loveliest thing of which one can sing This side of the heavenly gates
Is no blonde or brunette of the Hollywood set
But an escort of P-38s

In all the days past when the tables were massed with glasses of scotch and champagne
It’s quite true that that sight was a thing to delight us intent on feeling no pain
But no longer the same nowadays in this game as we sail onto the missing state
Take your sparkling wine but always make mine
An escort of P-38s.

Byron, Shelley and Keats ran each other dead heats describing the views from the hills
Of the valleys in May where the winds gently sway an army of bright daffodils
Take your daffodils Byron, the wild flowers Shelley, yours is the myrtle, friend Keats
Just preserve me those cuties, all-American beauties
An escort of P-38s.

Sure we’re braver than hell on the ground all is well, in the air it’s a much different story
As we sweat out our track through the fighters and flak we’re willing to split up the glory
Well, they wouldn’t reject us so heaven protect us until all this shootin’ abates
Give us courage to fight ’em and another small item
An escort of P-38s.

-Anon.

 

[Aidan K]

Both of my grandfathers served. They viewed it as their duty to the empire, and like many, never talked of the fighting. My maternal grandfather was a radio man for the New Zealand Division, and fought in Nth Africa and Italy. My paternal grandfather was on minesweepers, and served as part of the occupation of Japan after the war.

I am pleased at how NZ remembers its veterans, but it still falls a bit short. We sort of remember them as men and women of that era, yet forget how they struggled for years afterwards and how little was done for them. Being remembered is great, honouring their service with deeds and aid is better still.