Alexander M. Haig, Jr. 1924-2010

Haig died Saturday morning surrounded by his family after complications from an infection. He was 85. It's hard to encapsulate a career as star studded as Haig's.

A graduate of West Point, then Military Aide to Douglas MacArthur in Korea, Awarded Distinguished Service Cross, the US Army's second highest medal for valor in Vietnam, White House Chief of Staff under Richard Nixon, Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Four Star General of the Army and First Secretary of State for President Reagan.

Haig was no stranger to controversy. At the center of so many difficult moments like Watergate and the attempted assasination of President Reagan, his actions sometimes drew criticism. James Rosen's report at Fox News traces the life of this great American:

Well done, Sir, you have served your country well.

Here are two of Gen. Haig’s quotes.

“If they analyze the situation as thoroughly as they should, Muslims will realize they are the first targets. What are the fundamentalists really after? Simply taking over Islam and then turning its back on modernity. “

“It didn’t take long for the world to realize that the Shah was an enlightened liberal next to the bloody reactionary regime that followed, and which executed more people in three months than the Shah had done in 30 years. “

Lord, support us all the day long,
until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.

Then in your mercy,
grant us a safe lodging,
and a holy rest,
and peace at the last.

John Henry Newman

In Paradisium/Requiem, Faure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82L8AaqA-Dc

May the angels lead you into paradise,
May the martyrs receive you
In your coming,
And may they guide you
Into the holy city, Jerusalem.
May the chorus of angels receive you
And with Lazarus once poor
May you have eternal rest.

Proficiscere, anima Christiana/Dream of Gerontius

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAbOgpcSEYg

“Proficiscere, anima Christiana, de hoc mundo!
Go forth upon thy journey, Christian soul!
Go from this world! Go, in the Name of God
The Omnipotent Father, Who created thee!
Go, in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord,
Son of the Living God, Who bled for thee!
Go, in the Name of the Holy Spirit,
Who Hath been poured out on thee!
Go in the name
Of Angels and Archangels; in the name
Of Thrones and Dominations; in the name
Of Princedoms and of Powers; and in the name
Of Cherubim and Seraphim, go forth!
Go, in the name of Patriarchs and Prophets;
And of Apostles and Evangelists,
Of Martyrs and Confessors, in the name
Of holy Monks and Hermits; in the name
Of holy Virgins; and all Saints of God,
Both men and women, go! Go on thy course;
And may thy place today be found in peace,
And may thy dwelling be the Holy Mount
Of Sion: - through the Same, through Christ our Lord”

Ave Verum Corpus/Mozart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TfAyX8l5-g

Hail the true body, born
of the Virgin Mary:
You who truly suffered and were sacrificed
on the cross for the sake of man.
From whose pierced flank
flowed water and blood:
Be a foretaste for us
in the trial of death.

Kyrie Eleison/Benedictine Monks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aah_ITLw3R8

Kyrie Eleison/From our brothers the Orthodox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32K27tS4zTE&feature=related

Requiem Introit/Chant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNsaUM5Scoo

Ombra Mai Fu/Handel, Xerxes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqaZ6CtRjPM

“Never was shade of plant more dear, amiable and sweet.”

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