Shelbyville Composite Squadron

"A Shelbyville Composite Squadron Ground Team Christmas"
By Kristopher Copes

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even Mouse.

The equipment was hung, in the ready room with care, with hopes of a quiet night, with not a plane in the air.

When all of a sudden, the pager went off, with "911" at the end, we knew we were off.

The Colonel spoke up, with his tea at the ready, "AFRCC just called, they heard a mayday!"

"It was heard around midnight, on a north-south course. The radar showed a sled, being pulled by a horse!

"We got in the van, and cranked the heat up, we said our prayers, and hoped for good luck.

After some time, we hear a strange signal, coming from the ELPER, sounding like "Jingle Bells."

We went in on foot, the signal got greater, the wind got colder, the time grew later.

Then in a glance, we saw our target, a little red sleigh, all broken and bent.

The were eight tiny reindeer, all needing quick care. And an older gentleman saying, "That plane came out of nowhere!"

He had a long white beard, and a red flight suit, and a large red sack, loaded with loot.

We fixed up his wounds, and hitched up the van, to those eight reindeer, 'cause we had a plan.

We'll help deliver those toys, Assist old Mr. Clause. He said the reindeer's names, and we were off with no pause.

As we headed into the sky, he lifted his torch. And said, "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"