Home Page    

  

 

The Poem, Angel's Wing condenses a principle theme of the book into a short poem that Joe gives out as a bookmark to those who get their copy of the book from him in person. Joe read this poem aloud on the National Mall as a part of the Memorial Day celebrations in 2003.

Angel's Wing:
A soldier lies bleeding,
face twisted in pain,
makeshift bandage covers his chest, another his leg,
The Medic is done. “Steady now, help is on the way.”
The distant ‘wop, wop, wop’ of rotor blades raises spirits.
High above the aircraft passes drawing enemy fire.
…
The acrid smell of  burnt matches--smoke marks the scene.
High above the chopper turns,
drops like a hawk on the wing.
…
The sound of rotors increases,
suddenly the bird is here. 
Dust and litter fill the air,
the Huey settles near.
The soldier is carried quickly into the waiting bird.
Dust again as it lifts off,
 precious cargo in its bay.
Whirlybird, Chopper, Wings of Mercy, Medevac, Dustoff, or Angel’s Wing,
Ask the men it lifted, it had many names… .

 Joe Finch @ 1992

Isaiah 40:31: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall soar on wings like Eagles; They shall run and not grow weary, They shall walk and not grow faint."

---