In Honor - - -

This day, Veteran's Day, is set aside to honor those who have so valiantly served their country to preserve FREEDOM.  We have so many patriots in our country (Sarge Charlie!) and I humbly offer my thanks...  This Veteran's Day, I wanted to honor the author of the poem, "High Flight."  As I was hunting the poem, I found this notice on the RAF website.  Sixty-nine years separate the the two men but their sacrifices will endure forever.  So, I lift a pint in honor of our brothers-in-arms, the British. Senior Aircraftman Scott Hughes dies in Cyprus It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Senior Aircraftman Scott 'Scotty' Hughes serving with Number 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment died in Cyprus on Sunday 7 November 2010 following injuries sustained in an accident. Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Hughes was returning from operations in Afghanistan and died from injuries suffered in a boating accident that took place on Friday 5 November as his unit was undertaking decompression activities. He was due to return home to the UK the following day.  (He was born 5 June 1990)   High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untresspassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee No 412 squadron, RCAF Killed 11 December 1941