Reality

During Desert Storm an Army National Guard Col. from Myrtle Beach SC was to be promoted to Brigadier General while en route to Saudi. He, his staff and part of his unit were being transported on a C-5 Galaxy Aircraft.



The front upstairs, seats fourteen people and the rear upstairs seats seventy three people. The cargo compartment, the lower level holds up to six greyhound buses or about 400,000 pounds of cargo.



There are about 32 steps up a ladder to get to the balcony of the upper front passenger area, almost straight up. The symbol of rank of a Col. is an eagle with spread wings. The symbol of rank of a Brigadier General is one star.



Today I saw
An Eagle face reality
His task ahead
Is uncertain agony

His legs were shaking
As he took
That first long step
Into the Galaxy

His voice was quaking
As he ascended
The steps toward
The balcony

He took his seat
Shed his wings
And assumed
His star of authority

The baby Brigadier
Has passed
His first test
Of Deployment Reality