"Oh! I have slipped the surley bonds of Earth

And danced the skies of 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 sunlight silence

Hovering 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 untresspassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God".

Pilot Officer John Macgee, Jr.