The Boys of Fightin’ Thirty-Three
Dave “Fireball” Hayes
Dave “Fireball” Hayes
I drink to you, a toast from me
To the boys of Fightin’ Thirty-Three
Those memories refuse to fade
Most OK, some fair, few no-grade
Let whiskey flow, give tales their due
I’m sure there are, some No Shit True
Hard Sayings never truer be
Then those from Fightin’ Thirty-Three
Were I to start to name a few
I’d leave dear friends without their due
Exploits of color, brave and bold
Still some remain yet best untold
Young we were, now old we be
Times were best in Thirty-Three
We flew the best planes of our day
Led all others in harm’s way
In Tiger, Tomcat, Crusader too
And that ol’ steed the Phantom II
We served to keep the Free World free
We flew in Fightin’ Thirty-Three
From this one Ready Room so great
Came leaders true who spat at fates
Some earned stars, some toil for wages
Others shine on different stages
But we learned how better men to be
From those in Fightin’ Thirty Three
We’ve all been stationed other places
Other friends and some just faces
But yet it seems none compare
With the Astronaut and the Tarsier
History records us – an OK 3
The best was Fightin’ Thirty-Three
I’d rather be there pullin’ pig
Then doin’ this old airline gig
Light-‘em-up till dawn, with my best wishes
Till Mona clears the breakfast dishes
Let’s plan again, Reunion III
Dear friends from VF-33
I drink to you, a toast from me
To the boys of Fightin’ Thirty-Three