[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 35 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H2216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM HENRY HADDIX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Smith] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago a small group of 
Marines raised a flag on a far away island in the Pacific Ocean--Iwo 
Jima. the scene was immortalized for all Americans in the famous photo 
and memorial statute near Arlington Cemetery.
  The battle for Iwo Jima paved the way to victory over Japan. It was 
not without cost--6,000 Marines were killed. Pvt. William Henry Haddix 
was one of these who made the supreme sacrifice of his life. Today when 
we think of the veterans who died in those wars, our minds play tricks 
on us. We sometimes imagine those soldiers as old and wise, but most 
were very young like Bill Haddix. Bill left behind a young wife Etta, 
and two small children.
  He also left behind a beautiful and precious legacy. Just days before 
he died he had written his wife and family. Private Haddix's daughter--
Susan Haddix Harrison from Jackson, MI--Susan is here in the chamber 
with us today and has generously shared his deeply moving and 
meaningful letter with me and I share it with you. The letter includes 
a poem by Private Haddix about his experience on Iwo Jima. Interwoven 
in the fabric of the words are the golden threads of faith in God and 
duty to country.
                                Iwo Jima

     I have landed on an island
     in the Pacific salty air
     where heat, rain, mud and bugs
     are an everyday affair.

     The nights are long and dreary
     as the pale moon lights the sky,
     and I lie awake a thinking
     as the hours creep slowly by.

     Where men must go on fighting
     for land that must be won
     In dirt, grit, slime and sweat
     beneath the burning sun.

     I can't help but dream of home
     and the ones I love so dear,
     It makes a man cuss the day
     he ever landed here.

     All luxuries are forgotten
     In this land so far away
     and it takes a lot of guts
     for the guy who has to stay.

     I pray for you my darling
     every single night
     and know God will care for you
     because you're living right.

     When we meet our enemy
     be it day or night
     It's do or die for that poor guy
     for we fight with all our might.

     Should I ever receive a call from God
     I know darn good and well,
     That I'm bound to go to heaven
     for I've served my time in Hell.

     William H. Haddix,
       Private, 28th Replacement Draft, Co B, 3rd Marine Division.

                              {time}  1450

  Private Haddix did not ask that he may live. He was prepared to die 
if need be. All he asked is that he may be ready if he was called. And 
he asked that his sacrifice may not be in vain.
  Today, we salute Private Haddix and all the men of honor and courage 
who fought beside him five decades ago. We should always remember their 
bravery, their honor, and their dedication to our Nation. Our most 
precious inheritance is freedom, but we should remember that it was not 
free to those who earned it.


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