Air Force — Armed Forces Week
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The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) salutes the United States Air Force during the 2023 Armed Forces Week. Each branch of the Armed Forces has its own song, which many have heard combined in the famous version of the Armed Forces Medley. What many may not realize is that the words to each song portray its branch’s core values and beliefs.
In honor of the U.S. Air Force, we want to publish the 2020 adapted version of the “The U.S. Air Force”, which has served as its official song since 1939, when it was crafted by Robert MacArthur Crawford in response to a Liberty Magazine contest. It is also often referred to as “The Wild Blue Yonder”.
For the modern adaptation, some of the words have been changed or phrases recast, in order to remove male-focused language, especially from the third verse, which also serves as the official song of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.
Air Force Chief of Staff David L. Goldfein said, upon release of the newly reminted song, that “These new lyrics speak more accurately to all we do, all that we are and all that we strive to be as a profession of arms. They add proper respect and recognition to everyone who serves and who has served.” He added that the changes simply add to, rather than subtracting, from the identity of the Air Force.
Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At ’em now, Give ’em the gun!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing’ll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Brilliant minds fashioned a crate of thunder,
Sent it high into the blue;
Valiant hands blasted the world asunder;
How they lived God only knew!
Boundless souls dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings, ever to soar!
With scouts before and bombers galore. Hey!
Nothing’ll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Here’s a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of the brave who serve on high.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar to score the rainbow’s pot of gold.
A toast to the host of those we boast, the U.S. Air Force!
Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true;
If you’d live to be a grey-haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue!
Fly to fight, guarding the nation’s border,
We’ll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry on.
Oh, nothing’ll stop the U.S. Air Force!
The VLB wishes a Happy Armed Forces Week to the United States Air Force and all who have served as Airmen! We are grateful for your choices and sacrifices to own the air and protect our country.
The VLB is happy to provide any needed help for these American heroes. The mission for the VLB is “to ensure that we offer the very best package of Veterans benefits in the country and those of us who work for the VLB strive to meet those goals every day. For more than 70 years, we have had the honor to serve Veterans, Military Members and their families in Texas, and we look forward to keeping that promise in the years to come.” Call 1–800–252–8387, email VLBinfo@glo.texas.gov, or visit vlb.texas.gov to see the different benefits available.
If you are a Veteran, thank you for your service. Click Here to Sign Up to stay informed on your benefits with the Texas Veterans Land Board.
