Memorial Day

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 unsurpassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

~ Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee

In honor of my father, an Air Force pilot, who served our country for 33 years.

August 3, 1917 - April 3, 2001

And, a salute to all service men and women who have served or are serving our country. Thank you for giving of yourselves to our country.