A message from Mark Cullen: Soaring over the treetops
Mark Cullen (left), Major-General (Retired) Richard Rohmer (right)
High Flight
By: John Gillespie Magee Jr.
This poem was created by Canadian John Gillespie Magee Jr. during WWII. Three months after he wrote it, he died in a training accident.
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 nor ever 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.
It is Canada Day, or, as you read this, very near the 157th anniversary of the birth of our country. I am just wondering, “Are you looking for something to celebrate?”
I have an idea. Let’s celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Together, with members of the storied RCAF we will stop for a moment, maybe longer, and think about their history and our own, which, if you are Canadian, is one and the same.
“Never in the field of human conflict have so many owed so much to so few,” said Winston Churchill during the mighty air battles of WWII. He was referring not just to the RAF of the UK but also our air force in Canada.
It was a great pleasure for me to interview Major-General (Retired) Richard Rohmer, last month. He is 100 years old this year, he attended the D-Day 80th anniversary in France where he took an active part in the original D-Day landing in 1944. However in his case, it was not a landing but a fly-in to enemy territory. One sortie of 135 in his storied, young career as a reconnaissance Mustang pilot during that war.
Our interview, uncut, was almost an hour and forty-five minutes long. He spoke well, addressed my questions clearly, sometimes with humour and always with a twinkle in his eye. This is General Rohmer. I recommend that you look to our hero spotlight and judge for yourself. My guess is that you might learn something about Canada that is worth celebrating, even if you are well-informed about the history of the RCAF.
Here at Trees For Life, we have been celebrating with enthusiasm this important milestone in Canadian history by planting trees in designated parks and public spaces that honour our air-born heroes and those men and women who supported them and continue the tradition of public service today. Last week we planted 13 trees at Military Heritage Park in Barrie Ontario, one for each province and territory, plus 100 bayberry shrubs, one for each year of public service by the RCAF.
We are planting 7 such tributes to the RCAF this year between Alberta and the Maritimes. As our Executive Director Mike Hurley said, “Fittingly, we pay tribute to those in the RCAF who serve today and those who served yesterday through the act of planting trees, which will also protect our land and ensure improved human health.”
This Canada Day, what are you celebrating? The answer may vary depending on whether you are a multi-generational immigrant, a new citizen, or an Indigenous person. Together all of us have reason to celebrate the deep and abiding service of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Can you think of a more appropriate way to do that than to plant a tree in their honour?
If you are unable to do so yourself, may I suggest you consider donating to Trees for Life where we are committed to planting trees in urban spaces to honour our Heroes? www.treesforlife.ca
Wishing you a healthy, happy, and celebratory Canada Day.
Mark Cullen
Founding Chair, on behalf of the Trees For Life team
www.treesforlife.ca