I didn't write this story, but as a former aviator I enjoy the irony. I did create the illustration by blending two pictures together with a graphic's program called GIMP.
Origin of the word Aviator:
This
explains it all. As aviators, we come from a long line of a
secret society, formed around one thousand years ago. We are warriors,
and here is the proof! Ground pounders can read it and weep!
A little known fact is the origin of the word, "Aviator." In the
immortal words of Johnny Carson: "I didn't know that Phu Khen
pronounced Foo Ken) 1169-? is considered by some to be the most
under-recognized military officer in history. Many have never heard of
his contributions to modern military warfare. The mission of this secret
society is to bring honor to the name of Phu Khen.
A 'Khen' was a subordinate to a 'Khan' (pronounced 'konn') in the
military structure of the Mongol hordes. Khan is Turkish for leader.
Most know of the great Genghis Khan, but little has been written of
his chain of command . Khen is also of Turkish origin. Although there
is not a word in English that adequately conveys the meaning. Roughly
translated, it means, "One who will do the impossible, while appearing
unprepared and complaining constantly.
Phu Khen was one of ten Khens that headed the divisions, or
groups of hordes, as they were known, of the Mongol Army serving under
Genghis Khan. His abilities came to light during the Mongols' raids on
the Turkistan city of Bohicaroo. Bohicans were fierce warriors and the
city was well fortified. The entire city was protected by huge walls
and the hordes were at a standoff with the Bohicans. Bohicaroo was
well-stocked and it would be difficult to wait them out. Genghis Khan
assembled his Khens and ordered each of them to develop a plan for
penetrating the defenses of Bohicaroo.
Operation Achieve Victory (AV) was born. All 10 divisions of Khens
submitted their plan. After reviewing AV plans 1 thru 7 and finding
them all unworkable or ridiculous, Genghis Khan was understandably
upset. It was with much perspiration that Phu Khen submitted his idea,
which came to be known as AV 8. Upon seeing AV 8, Genghis was
convinced this was the perfect plan and gave his immediate approval.
The plan was beautifully simple. Phu Khen would arm his hordes to the
teeth, load them into catapults, and hurl them over the wall. The
losses were expected to be high, but hey, hordes were cheap! Those that
survived the flight would engage the enemy in combat. Those that did
not? Well, surely their flailing bodies would cause some damage.
The plan worked and the Bohicans were defeated. From that day on,
whenever the Mongol Army encountered an insurmountable enemy, Genghis
Khan would give the order, "Send some Phu Khen's AV 8-ers." This is
believed, though not by anyone outside our secret society, to be the
true origin of the word Aviator (AV 8-er).
Phu Khen's AV 8-ers were understandably an unruly mob, not likely
to be socially acceptable. Many were heavy drinkers, revelers,
womanizers, and insomniacs. But when nothing else would do, you
could always count on an AV 8-er. A Phu Khen Aviator. Denied,
perhaps rightfully so, his place in history, Phu Khen has been,
nonetheless, immortalized in prose.
As the great poet Norman Lear never once said:
"There once was a man named Phu Khen,
Whose breakfast was whiskey and gin.
When e'er he'd fly,
He'd give a mighty war cry:
Bend over, here it comes again."
Consider it an honor to be a Phu Khen Aviator. Wear the mantle proudly,
but speak of it cautiously. It is not always popular to be one of us.
You hear mystical references, often hushed whispers, to 'those Phu
Khen Aviators.' Do not let these things bother you. As with any secret
society, we go largely misunderstood, prohibited by our apathy from
explaining ourselves.
You are expected to always live down to the reputation of the Phu
Khen Aviator...a reputation cultivated for centuries, undaunted by scorn
or ridicule, unhindered by progress. So drink up, be crude, party,
womanize, sleep late, and get the job done.
When others are offended, you can revel in the knowledge that YOU
are a PHU KHEN AVIATOR!
secret society, formed around one thousand years ago. We are warriors,
and here is the proof! Ground pounders can read it and weep!
A little known fact is the origin of the word, "Aviator." In the
immortal words of Johnny Carson: "I didn't know that Phu Khen
pronounced Foo Ken) 1169-? is considered by some to be the most
under-recognized military officer in history. Many have never heard of
his contributions to modern military warfare. The mission of this secret
society is to bring honor to the name of Phu Khen.
A 'Khen' was a subordinate to a 'Khan' (pronounced 'konn') in the
military structure of the Mongol hordes. Khan is Turkish for leader.
Most know of the great Genghis Khan, but little has been written of
his chain of command . Khen is also of Turkish origin. Although there
is not a word in English that adequately conveys the meaning. Roughly
translated, it means, "One who will do the impossible, while appearing
unprepared and complaining constantly.
Phu Khen was one of ten Khens that headed the divisions, or
groups of hordes, as they were known, of the Mongol Army serving under
Genghis Khan. His abilities came to light during the Mongols' raids on
the Turkistan city of Bohicaroo. Bohicans were fierce warriors and the
city was well fortified. The entire city was protected by huge walls
and the hordes were at a standoff with the Bohicans. Bohicaroo was
well-stocked and it would be difficult to wait them out. Genghis Khan
assembled his Khens and ordered each of them to develop a plan for
penetrating the defenses of Bohicaroo.
Operation Achieve Victory (AV) was born. All 10 divisions of Khens
submitted their plan. After reviewing AV plans 1 thru 7 and finding
them all unworkable or ridiculous, Genghis Khan was understandably
upset. It was with much perspiration that Phu Khen submitted his idea,
which came to be known as AV 8. Upon seeing AV 8, Genghis was
convinced this was the perfect plan and gave his immediate approval.
The plan was beautifully simple. Phu Khen would arm his hordes to the
teeth, load them into catapults, and hurl them over the wall. The
losses were expected to be high, but hey, hordes were cheap! Those that
survived the flight would engage the enemy in combat. Those that did
not? Well, surely their flailing bodies would cause some damage.
The plan worked and the Bohicans were defeated. From that day on,
whenever the Mongol Army encountered an insurmountable enemy, Genghis
Khan would give the order, "Send some Phu Khen's AV 8-ers." This is
believed, though not by anyone outside our secret society, to be the
true origin of the word Aviator (AV 8-er).
Phu Khen's AV 8-ers were understandably an unruly mob, not likely
to be socially acceptable. Many were heavy drinkers, revelers,
womanizers, and insomniacs. But when nothing else would do, you
could always count on an AV 8-er. A Phu Khen Aviator. Denied,
perhaps rightfully so, his place in history, Phu Khen has been,
nonetheless, immortalized in prose.
As the great poet Norman Lear never once said:
"There once was a man named Phu Khen,
Whose breakfast was whiskey and gin.
When e'er he'd fly,
He'd give a mighty war cry:
Bend over, here it comes again."
Consider it an honor to be a Phu Khen Aviator. Wear the mantle proudly,
but speak of it cautiously. It is not always popular to be one of us.
You hear mystical references, often hushed whispers, to 'those Phu
Khen Aviators.' Do not let these things bother you. As with any secret
society, we go largely misunderstood, prohibited by our apathy from
explaining ourselves.
You are expected to always live down to the reputation of the Phu
Khen Aviator...a reputation cultivated for centuries, undaunted by scorn
or ridicule, unhindered by progress. So drink up, be crude, party,
womanize, sleep late, and get the job done.
When others are offended, you can revel in the knowledge that YOU
are a PHU KHEN AVIATOR!
