OPN NCG-735

TWAS CHRISTMAS DAY AT GSFC
WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ACROSS THE TV
CAME A SIGHT OF WONDER FOR ALL THOSE TIRED EYES;
THE CSM TURNING BACK TO OUR SKIES.

ENGINEERING WAS SLEEPING; DOC OUT ON THE CHOW.
OLD SANTA MUST SURELY HAVE BEEN HERE BY NOW.
BORMAN AND ANDERS AND LOVELL AGREE,
THE HEARD HIM REPORT THIS MORN ON NET 3.

"YOU'RE GO FOR YOUR COAST TO THE EARTH," HE SAID.
"AND WHEN YOU GET BACK WE CAN ALL GET TO BED."
THEN ALL AT ONCE, THE COORD LOOP WAS ACHATTER,
WE JUMPED TO THE ORDER WIRE TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER.

IT SEEMED HIS REINDEER HAD NOT ALL BEEN BRIEFED.
AND THE TEAM CHIEF WAS GIVING OLD RADAR SOME GRIEF.
"GET THAT SLED'S FLIGHT PLAN CLEARED THROUGH THE ND."
"WAIT ONE, NICK'S COMMANDING," CAME BACK FROM USB.

"I'LL HAVE MY SLEIGH OUT OF YOUR WAY WITH NO FUSS,
OLD SANTA'S NO CHICKEN WHEN IT COMES TO THIS STUFF.
WE'LL BE 'CROSS THE STATES BEFORE YOU CAN THRUST.
DON'T GET ME WRONG, YOU GUYS ARE ALL RIGHT,
BUT WE FLY THIS SAME MISSION ON EACH CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE NST"

1321Z 25 December 1968