Bird Fiver-Two

Of course, some spirits of this world cruise above the cycles of oblivion and return...

"Originally designed to fly 5,000 hours before structural fatigue, most B-52's are expected to achieve at least 15,000 hours. It is estimated that the planes could be used in active duty until 2035, eighty years after the first delivery." (New York Times)

Takes you back, don't it, straight to that nasty musical joke at the end of Strangelove — We'll Meet Again, Don't Know Where, Don't Know When, But You Know We'll Meet Again, Some SUN-NY Day... A song from the last War.

Of course we'll meet again. Totem of our generation, shotgun-rider above our nation, Great Bird of the Sun — how could we possibly go on without it?

Woe to a people who forsake their gods.