Old but still good.
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 re viewing 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 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 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 would fly,
He'd give a 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 our selves.
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, sleep late, urinate in public,
and get the job done.
When others are offended, you can revel in the knowledge that YOU are a
PHU KHEN AVIATOR!
![=D]](./images/smilies/eusa_clap.gif "Applause"){kind=small}
