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

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