IN LIFE AS IN THE DANCE : GRACE GLIDES

ON BLISTERED FEET.
---Alice Abrams

Thursday, November 11, 2010

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.SAC Hughes
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


 

6 comments:

Sarge Charlie said...

thank you miss gracie, you are a great American.

Traveling Bells said...

Very nice post.

God bless all our veterans, and our troops serving all over the world.

Big hugs, honey...

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

what a lovely veterans day post! and thanks to your grandson!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sandee said...

What a wonderful tribute Gracie. Very well done.

Have a terrific day. Big hug. :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you Gracie! High Flight has always brought tears to my eyes; this one is especially poignant.
I am so grateful for your ability to put words together with such eloquence. I love you so much!

Zane D. Clark said...

Well Done!
amen
z