by Jack R. Kays
SSgt USAF
35th APS
Đà Nàng, AB - 1965

They stood tall... protecting those mighty war birds and

the men that kept them high.

They stood tall... in the hot Asian sun, in the monsoon rains

and that cold winds that blew by.

They stood tall... in the dark, near the perimeter wire,

waiting... waiting with their weapon ready to fire.

They stood tall... night after night on the dark tarmac,

lit only by a pop flares light. 

They stood tall... waiting for that distinctive call...

"V.C. on the fence!" or "Charlie in the wire!"

They stood tall... professional sentinel's one and all.

They stood ready and waiting for that ominous call. 

They stood tall... Blue Knights in Camouflage armor dedicated

to protecting and defending those mighty war planes and

the principles they personified. 

They stood tall... representing the bright light of freedom

that protects us all. 

They stood with distinction and valor... they answered that call

and here and now, I stand in attention and salute them one and all.