Chicago, Illinois

And I Will Raise You Up on Eagles Wings:  To be sung like Josh Groban. . .
     And God will raise you up on eagles wings
     Bear you on the breath of dawn
     Make you to shine like the sun
     And hold you in the palm of His hand.
Right here, in Chicago, the eagle has landed. Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery. [2015]

North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

And I Will Raise You Up on Eagles Wings:  Here the eagle (clearly a bald eagle, i,e, a real American) appears in the context of patriotism. Its companions are the American flag and the uniform of the U.S. Army. As a symbol, the eagle seems to transcend not only secular and sacred, but also meek and mighty. Mountlawn Memorial Park. [2014]

Augusta, Georgia

And I Will Raise You Up on Eagles Wings:  "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not fait." Isaiah 40:30. Westover Memorial Park. [2015]

Istanbul, Turkey

Veteran Pilots:  There's a story behind this headstone, but here is all you know from the clues left behind: (1) He counted Istanbul as his home. (2) He was only twenty-five years old. (3) He was a proud member of the Turkish Aeronautical Association. (4) This is the intriguing part: His inscription reads "Martyred Pilot." Detective skills needed (and also some Turkish). Topkapi Cemetery. [2014]

Perry, New York

Veteran Pilots:  "It is the easiest thing in the world to die. The hardest is to live." That's the attitude that makes you a good pilot and a good human being. Or, at least, that's the opinion of the greatest fighter pilot of World War II, Eddie Rickenbacker. "Fly High Rick." Say Hi to Eddie up there. You'll have lots to talk about! Prospect Hill Cemetery. [2013]

Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania

Veteran Pilots:  The AWACS is easy to identify by the rotating radar dome rising from the fuselage. The U.S. Air Force has been flying them since 1977, so he was probably one of the early pilots. What a responsibility and an honor to be in charge of a plane like that! From his headstone, it looks like it defined his life. Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery. [21013]

Alexandria, Kentucky

Helicopter Parents Pilots:  When we use the word helicopter today, it is almost always followed by parents. Let's hope this couple didn't fill that bill. Nor you. Alexandria Cemetery. [2013]