High Flight

This morning was the first time in a long time I darkened the doorway of a church. It wasn't to worship or sing praises, but to bid farewell to a young student pilot who died in the course of a training mission. The church was filled to capacity so the group I was in sat in another room, also filled to capacity. These people weren't under any orders or compulsion to show up, many didn't know him, in fact I had only spoken to him a couple times while in the squadron. The reason people came was a sense of comradeship and brotherhood. Everyone in that room shared bond with the Lieutenant, his family, and each other, and had come not to say goodbye as much as to celebrate the wonderful person he was and will remain to us all. His death a tragedy, but the love and light he brought into the world a miracle, and though he may not be here physically the warmth he brought lingers on.