Major Stephen "Cajun" Del Bagno United States Air Force (Source) |
High Flight
John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
(Source)
"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.
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."
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."
Major Del Bagno lost his life when his aircraft crashed at the Nevada Test and Training Range on Wednesday morning. You can read more here.
Godspeed Sir, you will be missed.
Vos Saluto Fidelis Bellator. Requiescat In Pace.
ReplyDeleteAw, Nuts!
ReplyDeleteNot good. Getting nervous on my end of late Sarge. I trust (hope) that will pass.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Big E. Our kids are always in my prayers.
Delete