THE CREW CHIEF

The pilot was everyone's hero
He was brave, he was bold, he was grand
As he stood by his battered airplane
with his goggles and helmet in hand

But for each of these flying heroes
There were thousands little renowned
And these were the men who worked on the planes
But kept their feet on the ground

We all know the name of Lindberg,
And we've read of his flight of fame
But think if you can of his maintenance man
Can you remember his name?

And think of the wartime heroes
And the acclaim that they all got
Can you tell me the names of their crewchiefs?
A thousand to one you cannot

Now pilots are highly trained people
And wings are not easily won
But without the work of the maintenance man
Our pilots would march with a gun

So when you see a powerful airplane
As it makes its way through the air
Remember the grease stained man
With the wrench in his hand
For he is the one who put it there

Author unknown

From
Bob Pruiksma