USS America commissioning ceremony

[sailortats]

I think I can understand why you "Huey" guys don't feel as we sailors do. You didn't eat, sleep, work and play on your Hueys like we did on our ships. Our ships were our homes for many days, weeks or even months at a time without our ever leaving her. But I am a little surprised that you had no affection for the Hueys you served with.

[Tarheel]

Our "birds" had their function. They kept us alive, took us to and from harm and were home when all else was lost. We would even ride one to the ground instead of abandoning ship under fire when in flight. But you Men of the Waves have some special connection we didn't with your ships. I get it because my dearest friend for the last twenty five years was a sailor (first Nam tour) and a Sea-Bee "river-rat" on his second. Before he passed he gave me something to ponder. His words were, "you fly boys will never know sea legs." I believed him.
Back to topic though, the apron would flap into our eyes if we fly with the doors open while kilted. Just a thought as I never tried it.

[Jim Simmons]

I think I can understand why you "Huey" guys don't feel as we sailors do. You didn't eat, sleep, work and play on your Hueys like we did on our ships.

I know that you are very correct about the differences between you and your fellow sailors and we Huey guys, as to how we each looked at our "ships". Tarheel basically summed my feelings. Though I did sleep many a night on my ship when on "primary", many days I worked many hours maintaining and flying on it, and ate many a C-Rat there too.