The Last White Ruby

By Ronnie Smith

A poetry collection inspired by Ronnie Smith's experiences living and working in the polar regions as an aviator and commander for the US Air Force resupplying US scientific research stations. Anything but routine, Smith b

• Language: English
• Publisher: Plenus Gratia Publications
• Release date: May 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780998046532

Ronnie Smith

Ronnie is an avid outdoorsman. He is a gifted game caller. He is even pretty good with his natural voice. He worked for Drury Outdoors back in the mid 1990’s. He has harvested turkeys in 8 different states. He has a distinct way in which he takes a story and pulls principles out of it to apply to everyday living. Ronnie has spoken to men’s groups and churches all over the USA and in 7 foreign countries. He has been married to Delana since July 11th 1998. They have 5 children and reside in rural Lyons, GA. He has been the President of Ronnie Smith Ministries, Inc. since 2000. He continues to write, hunt, and speak upon invitation. He also has a weekly podcast entitled Rooted in the Word. www.ronniesmith.org

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the

sacred Mother of the World.

Introduction

I wrote this book of poetry for more than one reason.

Having worked for the United States Antarctic Program as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, I entered this unique mission as a navigator for the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing. They are the sole operators of the ski-bird mission for the United States military. With the world’s only ski-equipped C130 fleet of aircraft. After a number of years flying the line, I was promoted to commander of the mission on the ice, having gained several vantage points of operating in that polar environ, both in the Arctic and Antarctic. This span of time covered from 1996-2008.

As I came to the natural end of my campaigns in the icy north and south, I began to write what was so inspiring about working in such wild, austere wastelands. This job that we all had to do to support the U.S. science stations in these areas was a gift. And as I realized what a gift it was, I wanted to extend that experience to others whom would never lay eyes on the polar tableaux. But beyond that creative voice, which in anyone eventually yells to find release, I wanted the world outside of these mute icecaps, to know. In those plains of humanity between the polar circles, I wanted them to get a glimpse of what we stand to lose in light of global climate change left unchecked.

There were a lot of firsts in my life that I would encounter in this mission. Success and failure. Human tragedy. Extreme cold. Operational challenge. Jubilant exhilaration. The great comradery. And the best and worst of men