Observations from my weekly wanderings, usually in Northern Virginia (NOVA).
Yeah,
NOVA is usually on Saturday. I imagine the reason for the change from the
regularly scheduled programming is obvious.
I’m a
veteran. I’m certain many reading this will thank me, and I will be humbly
appreciative, but TRULY it isn’t necessary. My country doesn’t owe me anything.
It was a privilege to serve.
My adjutant and myself at my retirement, May 2007.
As a
very small token, to thank those who served before me, with me, and after me, I
offer the following image of The Prayer
at Valley Forge painting by Arnold Friberg.
I am
grateful that during my time, I served under a few leaders who, like General
Washington were known to commend…the interests of our dearest country to the
protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them into
His Holy keeping.
During
my career I was privileged to serve in several multi-national command (in
strict military lingo these are Combined Commands): NATO and NORAD. I am
thankful for the service of foreign colleagues, but most specifically acknowledge
my Canuck comrades. For them, I offer the poem High Flight by British-American John Gillespie Magee Jr. who died
serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
This poem is often read at services
for downed airmen.
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.
Hovering 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 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 and touched the face of
God."
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