Wiardgroup

This poem was written by a WWII pilot. It's often quoted when the times 
call for remembrance of those who take to the skies. Although obviously 
OT, It seems appropriate at this time, too.


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, 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. (1922-1944)

not OT at all, Mike
IMHO the soundtrack for the US space program was "Switched On Bach" and "Silver Apples of the Moon" and, sadly, sometimes "Icarus"

In my day job, i work for a NASA contractor and my phone has been ringing off the hook since last night. No one in the whole industry is immune. I was moved to find words of sloace here. Thanks for stepping "OT"

-doc