What gift to give an ROTC cadet at commissioning?

[3quartertime]

LOW FLIGHT

Oh, I've slipped the swirling clouds of dust

A few feet from the dirt.

I have flown my plane low enough

To make my bottom hurt.

I've raced over desert, hills, through valleys,

And mountain passes too.

Frolicked in the trees

Where only gray squirrels flew.

Chasing cows along the way,

Disturbing ram and ewe.

I've done a hundred other things

You damned well shouldn't do.

I have smacked the tiny sparrow,

Bluebird, robin, and the rest.

Dragged vorticies through branches

Throwing eggs out of their nests.

I've hurled through total darkness

Just as blind as I could be,

And spent the night in terror

Of things I could not see.

I've turned my eyes to heaven

Sweating bullets through the flight,

Reached out my hand and pressed-to-test

—the Master Caution light.

I like that version...