In Remembrance of H. D. Rogers and H.D. "Kelly" Rogers, Jr.

The following are presented in loving memory of my husband and our son and all others who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our world. Ruth B. Rogers

PILOT'S PRAYER

Dear God whose mighty hand did make the things I see below,

Help me to guide this ship of mine in paths where it should go,

Give us each day a clear free sky, True winds to lift the wings,

Make each flight safe for those who fly,

And each home swiftly bring.

Make me to know the starry blue,

Is somehow part of Thee

Dear God, I feel so close to You,

Up here where clouds fly free.

And when at last the great dive comes,

Please let me not forget,

That Thou will take the stick from me,

And be my Pilot yet.

A VETERAN'S FINAL VICTORY

As our anthem plays and you salute the flag above,

Pledge it your allegiance and remember me with love,

And seeing Lady Liberty, her crown of light upon her,

Cherish hard won freedoms and remember me with honor.

When you weep for patriots who sacrificed and died in service of their country...

Remember me with pride.

I am in Jesus' service now so let your sadness cease,

Remember, I have fought and won .....salvation's perfect peace.

The following was H.D.'s favorite as I am sure it is of many other pilots:

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

By Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee

412th Squadron, RCAF Killed 11 December 1 941

THE BROKEN CHAIN

We did not know that moment that God had called your name

In life we loved your dearly....In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you...You did not go alone,

For part of us went with you the day God called you home.

You left us precious memories....Your love is still our guide

And though we cannot see you, You are always by our side.

Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one...The chain will link again.

And as a final tribute....

BEYOND THE SUNSET

Should you go first and I remain to walk the road alone,

I'll live in memories garden, dear, with happy days we've known,

In Spring I'll wait for roses red, when faded the lilacs blue.

In early Fall when brown leaves fall, I'll catch a glimpse of you.

Should you go first and I remain for battles to be fought

Each thing you've touched along the way will be a hallowed spot.

I'll hear your voice , I'll see your smile, though blindly I may grope,

The memory of your helping hand will buoy me on with hope.

Should you go first and I remain, one thing I'll have you do;

Walk slowly down that long, long path, for soon I'll follow you.

I want to know each step you take, so I may take the same...

For someday down that lonely road you'll hear me call your name.