by Golden Eagle » 24 Aug 2010, 13:14
She was laid to rest yesterday, I can't put into words how beautiful the service was.
Those of us who knew her or who were there at the time are still very shaken by her loss at such a young age and in such tragic circumstances.
She had so much ahead of her, and she had done so much already though she was only in her mid 20s.
Her partner bravely led the service by reading this poem which I would like to share.
Many of you might already know it, but it's espeicially well known and loved in the gliding community, and touched the hearts of all of us.
High Flight
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, 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, nor 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.