Friday, December 1, 2017

Slip the Surly Bonds


This post was inspired by the famous aviation poem High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.


Eighteen year old Magee was an American who crossed the border into Canada to volunteer for the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1941, he was assigned to the 412th Fighter Squadron at Digby, England.


He was inspired during a test flight in the new (then) Spitfire V to the high (then) altitude of 30,000 feet. He included the poem in a letter to his parents shortly thereafter. At the age of 19, Magee was killed in a mid-air collision with an RAF trainer.




I often think of this verse as we fly through and around the clouds here in the Pacific Northwest. It truly feels like you could "touch the face of God." -- Margy

8 comments :

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    1. Thank you. I love the puffy fair weather cumulus the best. - Margy

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  2. What a remarkable & inspirational young man!
    You are so fortunate to be able to soar heavenward in your plane!

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    1. So young, yet so insightful. What a terrible price war extracts. - Margy

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  3. Flying there in the Northwest must be beyond glorious, Margy!!!...:)JP

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    1. It is, but winter can be challenging with all the storms that seem to arrive in waves. Spring, summer and fall are much better flying weather. - Margy

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  4. Beautiful up there. I love your adventurous spirit.

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    1. It's good that I have Wayne. He helps me try things I never would do on my own. - Margy

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Thanks for stopping by. Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. - Margy