Fbodfather
They don't make songs about Volvos.
Member # 1119
posted
The events of the last few days are hard to put in words. As I watch the coverage, I am so taken by the heroism ... not only the heroism of our fallen heros, but of their families, friends and co-workers. Most of you have probably seen or have heard the following poem.....but I think it is appropriate at a time such as this....it speaks to the passion that each of our astronauts have for '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.
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 wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod--
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand --
---and touched the face of God.
-- John Gillespie Magee, Jr
(makes my eyes leak every time I read it.....)
President Ronald Reagan, addressing NASA employees following the tragic loss of the Challenger 7 crew on STS-51L, used the poem in a well-remembered line:
"We shall never forget them nor the last time we saw them, as they prepared for their mission and waved good-bye and slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God."
posted
for those of us in texas, last saturday was a crystal clear, cool, beautiful day---however, i wonder how many others living under the path that the shuttle took felt, as i did, an overwhelming sadness looking up at that blue sky and knowing that the ashes of a tragedy were falling down on us as we went on about our lives...
may God bless
Posts: 3236 | From: Dallas, Texas | Registered: Nov 2002
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