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 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 Gillespie Magee, Jr
2Lt Matthew Emmons passed away on 23 April 2008 while on a training mission in the T-38 Fighter Trainer. He is survived by his wife Carrie who is pregnant with their son. If you wish to make a donation to help the family in this extremely difficult time you may do so using the paypal Donate button below or visit this page for information on how to make an electronic transfer.