I was going through some old files in a box in my attic and found a story I saved in 1992 for some reason which I forget at the moment. I did not know who the author was at the time, but have since learned he is Dr. Harry Clarke Noyes. The title is, “The Goose Story.”
When fall arrives and you look up to the sky you see and hear geese flying in a “V” formation heading south. Do you wonder why they fly that way? Science has discovered they fly this way because as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds about 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
VFW National Chaplain Joseph GallickVFW comrades who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
When a goose falls from the formation, it suddenly experiences drag and the resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly returns back to the formation to take advantage of the lift power of the goose directly in front.
VFW comrades, if we had the sense of a goose, we will stay in formation with our fellow VFW comrades who are headed in the same direction.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose takes over.
VFW comrades, it pays to take turns doing hard jobs.
The geese honk in the rear of the formation as they fly to encourage those in the front to keep up their speed. VFW comrades, words of encouragement go a long way.
Finally, when a goose gets ill or is wounded and falls out of the formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it recovers and is able to fly or until it dies. Then they launch out on their own or with another formation to try and return to their group.
VFW comrades, if we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other even when we fall.