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January 30, 2005
High Flight
In memory of my beloved Grandpa "Hack", who passed away on January 23rd, I am going to post a poem that I dedicate to him. I printed this out the day before his funeral, because not only is it one of my most favorite poems, but it so aptly and beautifully describes the epic of the world's history that he took part in. Not only was it an epic, it was one of the most unique and deep pages in his life, and became a true and venerable thread of his character. It was his world then.
Some of his crewmembers contacted my Aunt Karen, and they told her in emotional and heartfelt words what "Hack" had been to them. Being a navigator on a B-17, he was the one they all looked to to get them home; the one who could trace a path on the sparkling blanket of stars and bring them roaring over the White Cliffs of Dover once again. Deep amid his charts and instruments, and serenaded by the quartet of throaty Pratt and Whittney radial engines, he plied his craft of precision in one of America's finest hours.
I am proud to be his grandson. I dedicate this poem by Royal Air Force Pilot John Magee Jr. to his honor and lasting memory.
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. 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, 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.
John Magee Jr.
Posted by Grant at 06:26 PM | Comments (1)
January 19, 2005
A President Holds Forth on the Issue of Racism
"I will say that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races from living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they can not so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race."
~ Abraham Lincoln - From the fourth presidential debate with Stephen Douglas, 1858
So yeah, that pretty much explains it all. I mean, if he's not a racist, then no one is. That's what I always thought, but it's still a shock to actually find the man himself confirm it.
Posted by Grant at 08:55 AM | Comments (5)
January 04, 2005
Rushing Wind
This song by Keith Green has blessed me so much over the past few days and helped me get through so much stress and strife, and I just wanted to share it with you all!!
Rushing Wind
By: Keith Green
Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
I've been born again.
Holy Spirit, I surrender, take me where you want to go,
Plant me by your living water,
Plant me deep so I can grow.
Jesus, you’re the one, who sets my spirit free,
Use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me.
Separate me from this world Lord.
Sanctify my life for you.
Daily change me to your image,
Help me bear good fruit.
Every day you're drawing closer.
Trials come to test my faith.
But when all is said and done Lord,
You know, it was worth the wait.
Jesus, you’re the one, who set my spirit free,
Use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me.
Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
For I've been born again.
© Sparrow Records
Praise the Lord, Hallelujah amen!! :-) What a stirring and spirit-filled song.
Posted by Grant at 11:17 AM | Comments (4)