A few decades ago, during Viet Nam, I realized that our cavalry didn't go into battle with the sound of the bugle charge the way it did in the past. For a number of years I felt something was missing. Then one day, I was watching Nam film footage about a US Cav unit going into combat in an armada of helicopters. As I watched, I realized that the modern US cavalry went into battle with the sound of a different musical instrument. The helicopters make the sound of American Indian war drums. Today our cavalry and other brave soldiers go into battle with the sound of war drums beating in the air.

To recognize this, I wrote a very brief poem I want to share with all our brave soldiers called "Ode to the Chopper."

I hear American war drums beating in the air
American war drums taking US soldiers everywhere
American war drums taking wingless flight
American war drums defending freedom day and night
I hear American war drums beating in the air.

The next time you see one or more US Military helicopters flying by, you will hear our war drums beating in the air.

May God go into battle with you always.