Noah Werka

ORIGIN OF THE WORD AVIATOR

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 a lso 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 of Phu Khen's 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 at table. 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 AV 8-er!!!