The Lord Watches Over His Word to Perform It

The Last Flight

Jim Sutton

            The church was filled by friends and loved ones gathered to honor the life of Jim Burgess and to celebrate his home-going.  Jim passed away in his 90's and had lived a life of unselfish devotion to family, friends and country.  He loved God and served the Church of the Good Shepherd faithfully for many years.

            During his funeral service, Jim's brother-in-law ­­­­­Robert recounted some of the memorable events of Jim’s life.  Among the highlights mentioned was Jim’s service in the Army Air Corps in Europe during WWII.  Jim flew reconnaissance flights in an unarmed P-38 fighter over enemy territory.  As a result he received the Silver Star for his bravery. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action. 

            Robert also recalled a later time in Jim's life when he was forced to land his private plane in Tampa Bay. As he was standing on the floating fuselage, he promised God that if he was saved, he would serve Him for the rest of his life. He fulfilled his promise.

            Following the church service Jim’s ashes were interred in the Memorial Garden behind the Good Shepherd Chapel that he loved.  Just as the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard was playing taps, a small single-engine plane flew directly over the memorial garden and the small group of family and friends assembled there.  The plane’s direction was not the normal flight pattern for aircraft in the Orlando area.

            Members of the congregation who stood outside in the nearby courtyard wondered whether Jim’s wife, Irene, had asked a friend to perform this fitting final salute.  When asked about it later, Irene said she knew nothing about it. 

            As I thought about the courtyard event, I realized that what had happened was God's way of welcoming Jim into the heavenly realms.  After this occurrence I recalled a poem written during World War II by a young pilot, John Magee, Jr., shortly before his death in combat, --

"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.

 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 untrespassed sanctity of space,

put out my hand and touched the face of God."