The RTO

“Get ‘em on the line.” The sergeant said;

They hit us hard, we had some dead.

I got out the wheel and wrote down the code;

The PRC 25 and my ruck was a hell of a load.

Savoy1-7 was our call sign I remember it well;

My job was dangerous, and Vet will tell.

The handset was a give-away; I was a marked man;

I was an RTO, you do the best you can.

“Birds in route,” I would yell for all to hear;

Please God Almighty, let the skies stay clear.

The birds come in fast, firing as they hover;

Me and my buddies we ran from our cover.

I was safe this time silently I would pray;

Then I heard higher, we’d be back the next day.

“Good job.” The lieutenant said, he wanted me to know;

“Stick close to me,” he said, “you’re my RTO.”

Michael D. Monfrooe

1998

Dedicated to Jonette Belch’s dad