New Poem: "The Benefits of Being Barney"

"The Benefits of Being Barney" is the latest installment in my poetic memoir, A Wave of Poetry.  During my first assignment with the Air Force, I became the squadron flight surgeon for the 27th Fighter Squadron.  Their pilots kind of adopted me, had me fly with them, and gave me a call sign and everything.

Fighter pilots, of whatever jet or branch of service, form a kind of fraternity.  When I boarded the Lincoln, I had merely to introduce myself by my fighter call sign, Barney, to be immediately welcomed and accepted as a brother by the FA/18 Hornet (pictured) pilots on board.  This had certain benefits for which I was most grateful.  At the time, it almost felt like coming home.  I was back in fighter country.