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Monday, November 12, 2007

GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS


HIGH FLIGHT
The Very Famous Veteran's Poem
By John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
AND danced the skies on laughter silvered wings;
Sunward, I've climbed & joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun split clouds & done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of wheeled & soared & swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along & flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind swept heights with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle flew;
AND, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, & touched the face of God.


*SPECIAL NOTE FOR HIGH FLIGHT*
During the Battle of Britain, many Americans crossed the border into Canada to enlist with the Royal Canadian Air Force. They knowingly broke the law in order to fight Hitler's Germany. John Gillespie Magee, Jr., was just 18 years old when he entered flight training & was sent to England on June 30th 1941. On September 3rd 1941 Magee flew a Spitfire V test flight & was promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer, which inspired him to write his poem. That same day he wrote a letter to his parents which included this now famous poem. Three months later on December 11th 1941, (three days after the US entered the war & four days after Pearl Harbor), John Gillespie Magee, Jr., was killed in a midair accident over Britain. At an altitude of about 400 feet, his RCAF (Royal Canadian Air force) VZ-H Spitfire V collided in the clouds with a RAF (Royal Air Force) Oxford Trainer piloted by Ernest Aubrey Griffin who was also killed. John Gillespie Magee, Jr. was just 19 years old. His remains were buried at Scopwick, Lincolnshire County, England in the Scopwick War Graves section of the village churchyard cemetery.
*1 Photo John Gillespie Magee, Jr
*2 Photo John Gillespie Magee, Jr Headstone
*3 Photo Spitfire Fighters WWII

We wish all USA Veterans & our USA Troops everywhere our humble THANK YOU's for keeping us safe. Words cannot express what is in our hearts for those that loss their lives while serving in the USA armed forces. We send our prayers & condolences to the families who son's & daughter's gave the ultimate sacrifice.

BLESSINGS FOR PEACE, LYNDY & TOM WARD

© 2007 Todaysgold Publications ~ All Rights Reserved ~

15 comments:

Carolee said...

Joining you in those blessings for Peace....

~ Carolee

Christopher A. Klingler said...

Very nice tribute for Veteran's Day!

Chris :)

LYNDY WARD said...

Carolee, may there be Peace On Earth for all, everywhere...

Blessings for our troops to come home soon, Lyndy

LYNDY WARD said...

Hi Chris, thanks for the sweet comment. High Flight has always been on my list of favorite poetry. I only knew it was the worldwide Pilot's Mantra past, present & absolutely future. I had no idea of the history behind it. I'm so glad I did some research this past weekend & found out all about this wonderful famous Veteran's Day Poem.

Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr. wrote that High Flight verse on the back of the envelope of his last letter to his parents. At his funeral, his Staff Sergeant said John told him High Flight was supposed to have been the first verse of a sonnet to all aviators.

John's parents were living in Washington D.C. at the time of his death & the poem was seen by Archibald MacLeish, who was the Librarian of Congress. He included it in an exhibition of poems called 'Faith And Freedom' in February 1942. AND after that it was widely copied & distributed. High Flight was read over pictures of mountains, American flags & fighter aircraft as a network station closing video on US television stations across our beautiful nation.

President Ronald Reagan, in a televised national oration addressing NASA & the American citizens following the tragic loss of the Challenger 7 crew on STS-51L, used the poem in a well-remembered line: "We shall never forget them nor the last time we saw them, as they prepared for their mission & waved good-bye & slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God."

Still brings tears to my eyes, Lyndy

Witchy-Poodle-Art said...

Very inspiring, Lyndy.

Becky

Melissa Valeriote said...

"Imagine all the people, living life in peace..."

Cannot come soon enough.
Beautiful Lyndy.

LYNDY WARD said...

Hi Becky, I felt that this was inspiring too, not just because John Gillespie Magee, Jr. was a WWII pilot that died to young. But he lived his life to the fullest in less than two decades. He followed his heart & dreams which a greater force saw fit to become his inspirational legacy world round.

Inspirational Blessings & May all your dreams come true, Lyndy

LYNDY WARD said...

Hi Melissa, great reference "Imagine all the people, Living life in peace"...

'Imagine' was John Lennon's second major release apart from the Beatles. Released on September 9th 1971 (US) & October 8th 1971 (UK), it has remained John's most commercially successful album. It was recorded primarily in John's home studio which turned out to be the last time he would ever record in England. Sad to think that it's been 36 years since this famous album & song has been written & thousands are still dying for political gain.

Not to mention 27 years since John Lennon's assignation just because he was John Lennon a talented beautiful soul inside & out...

Imagine Lyrics
By John Lennon

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one...

Blessings For All The World To Live In Peace & Harmony, Lyndy

Christopher A. Klingler said...

Melissa & Lyndy ~ LOVELY! :)

Peaceful wishes,
Chris

Christopher A. Klingler said...

PS: HAD to add this and the song to my blog...brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it...happy tears!

Chris :)

LYNDY WARD said...

Dear Chris, me too!!! Tears of sadness & joy. I wish John Lennon was still with us...

(((((HUGS))))), Lyndy

Random York said...

Very sweet and honorable Lyndy!
John

Kim Hardt Originals said...

Thank you so much Lyndy for posting on my blog and sending well wishes to my son. It has been a short and wonderful visit. But he goes back to the base tomorrow. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

LYNDY WARD said...

Thank You John, I truly believe in United We Stand. AND bring home our troops safe & sound soon.

Blessings For Peace, Lyndy

LYNDY WARD said...

Hi Kim, I had tears in my eyes when I read your Thanksgiving Blog. I wish your son & his troops could be sent to a more peaceful engagement. He & all our armed forces are in our prayers.

Brendan looks just like you, an admirable soul & handsome as your are beautiful.

Blessings For Peace Soon, Lyndy