CRESTVIEW — Retired forester John McMahon's contributions to his city, state and country are significant, Mayor David Cadle said.
The Florida Forestry Association poet laureate helped establish the Hub City Environmental Center, which the city renamed the McMahon Environmental Center in his honor. The park contains more than 100 native species of trees and plants, as well as a natural history museum and pavilion used for picnics and educational presentations.
McMahon served in World War II, during which he fought in the 1944-45 Battle of the Bulge, the German military’s last-ditch effort to repel the Allied invasion. “They sent him to boot camp and straight to the front,” his wife, Doris McMahon said. “He still doesn’t talk much about it, but I know it had a big impact on him.”
And as forestry poet laureate, McMahon penned a poem that helped welcome visitors and newcomers to Florida.
“My best poem was ‘The Woodsman’s Prayer,’” McMahon said. “Gov. (Reubin) Askew had them put it in all the welcome stations.”
Considering all these achievements, Cadle proclaimed Wednesday, the veteran's 90th birthday, John McMahon Day in Crestview.
“He deserves recognition and it’s important for the city to do this for him,” Cadle said during a visit with McMahon and his wife at Shoal Creek Rehabilitation.
John and Doris McMahon celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Dec. 29.
“We met at the First Methodist Church,” Doris said. “He was a junior high Sunday school leader and I was singing in the choir.”
She said the mayor’s visit and proclamation, and the recognition of John McMahon’s service to the city, meant a lot to her and her husband.
THE WOODSMAN'S PRAYER
Retired forester John McMahon considers this poem, penned in 1972, his best. Gov. Reubin Askew had the poem displayed at all Florida welcome stations.
Lord, let me be as a tall green tree
Upright and pleasing unto thee
Thankful for my humble birth
And for my time upon the earth.
Lord, as I reach to touch the sky
Keep me in your watchful eye
And if I grow too tall and wide
Prune away my foolish pride.
Be with me Lord, as the seasons pass
And my dreams fade like the grass
The years will help me understand
That my life is in your hands
I know time’s axe will cut me down
And lay my bones upon the ground
Then Lord, I pray, remember me
In gardens of your memory.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mayor honors veteran and retired forester John McMahon (VIDEO)