[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1813-E1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         POEMS BY GERALD GRIMM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TOOMEY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share two patriotic poems 
with my colleagues entitled ``A Veteran'' and ``Remember Me?'' These 
poems were brought to my attention by a constituent of mine, Gerald 
Grimm of the Lehigh County Council of the American Legion.

                               A Veteran

     What is a veteran, just look around
     Right where you've standing,
     He fought for that ground.
     A Vet is a person, who answered the call
     Who went into war, and gave it his all.

     He defended a way of life that we love,
     But much preferred peace,
     Like the way of the dove.

[[Page E1814]]

     He asked not the reason, as he stood in his trench
     He faltered not once, in the muck and the stench

     As soldiers in legions, they stood side by side,
     They knew some would fall, as many more died.
     They whispered their prayers, in a helmet of sweat,
     Shells bursting above, wouldn't let them forget.

     Tears in their eyes, as their friend lays so still,
     One hour ago, he was king of the hill.
     Many more wounded, spilling their life,
     When will it end, this battle of strife?

     For many, the battles, never will end,
     Now they're civilians, and find they can't blend.
     Some are disabled, and some are disturbed,
     After coming from hell, they find they've been curbed.

     A veteran is special, to be not denied,
     He put it up front, he need never hide.
     Now is the time, to honor our vets,
     Remember their pain, don't ever forget.
     Remember them now, and give them their due,
     Stand by their side, cause they did it for you.

                                  ____
                                  

                              Remember Me

     Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star 
         Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your 
         Flag of the United States of America. Something has been 
         bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you.

     I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the 
         street to watch the parade and naturally, I was leading 
         every parade, proudly waving in the breeze. When your 
         daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and 
         placed it over his heart . . . remember? And you, I 
         remember you. Standing there as straight as a soldier. 
         You didn't have a hat but you were giving the right 
         salute. Remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, 
         she was saluting the same as you, with her right hand 
         over her heart . . . remember?

     What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I have a few 
         more stars since you were a boy. A lot more blood has 
         been shed since those parades of long ago.

     But now I don't feel as proud as I used to be. When I come 
         down the street, you just stand there with your hands in 
         your pockets and I may get a small glance, then you look 
         away. I see the children running around and shouting . . 
         . they don't seem to know who I am . . . I saw one man 
         take off his hat and then look around. He didn't see 
         anybody else with theirs off so he quickly put his hat 
         back on.

     Is it a sin to be patriotic any more? Have you forgotten what 
         I stand for and where I've been . . . Anzio, Korea, 
         Guadalcanal, and Vietnam. Take a look at the Memorial 
         Honor Rolls sometime, of those who never came back, to 
         keep this Republic free . . . One Nation Under God . . . 
         When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.

     Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street 
         again. So, when you see me, stand straight, place your 
         right hand over your heart . . . and I'll salute you, by 
         waving back and I'll know that YOU REMEMBERED!!!

  I want to thank Mr. Grimm for these poems and commend him for his 
dedication to God and country. Thank you.

                          ____________________