Hew Jampton
16th Nov 2001, 18:31
I read that at a memorial service at St Clement Danes (RAF church) recently, a poem called 'Empty Cockpit' was read.
Does anybody know the author or have the words? Thanks.
I found this in Google, hope it is the right one.
Try it yourself and you might find the author. :)
His is a place no one can take,
The void he leaves cannot be filled,
For the mark he made, stays, fresh on us,
Although his heart has stilled.
Though the years pursue their relentless course,
And images are replaced,
And memories grow dim and fade,
And time obscures that familiar face,
And even a name be forgot,
And the things he said, and did,
And lives more noble may come and go,
But what he was cannot be hid.
The lessons he unknowingly taught,
By being what he was,
Have certainly changed the lives he met,
As his life touched ours.
So that the course which they now take,
Points somehow higher than before,
A true and gently comrade,
Has opened an unknown door.
So although his life on Earth is done,
His heritage will not rust,
For parts of him, that was, remain,
And live on as part of us.
Hew Jampton
17th Nov 2001, 17:30
sky9
Thanks for that. Other readers might be interested to know the background (also from Google):
This statement was presented at the Arlington National Cemetery memorial service by the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force Association. It was in the form of a prayer that was entitled, `Empty Cockpit; To our Departed Comrade.'
It was also read in the US Senate last year.