Read this on another forum. Thought it was great.
Origin of Aviator
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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'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, 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!
