[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1128-E1129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AMERICA: A POEM BY MARK E. CRISPELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SHERWOOD BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2003

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully submit the poem of my 
constituent, Mark E. Crispell of Brooktondale, NY, for submission into 
the Congressional Record. Mr. Crispell has dedicated this inspirational 
work to the House and the Senate.
  In addition to his gift to Congress, Mr. Crispell has also been able 
to donate this poem to various VFW and American Legion chapters across 
the New York State. It has touched the hearts of all who read it, as it 
honors the men and women who have risked their lives to protect 
America.
  I commend Mr. Crispell for his creativity as well as his thoughtful 
gift.

                                America

     In the valleys and on the hilltops
     you could hear that horrible roar
     thousands of men on horseback
     riding off to war
     red coats on the offensive
     us turncoats out of sight
     with our blood and a strong belief
     we fought with all our might

     When the war was over
     as the white smoke rolled away
     I cried with pain through tears of loss
     it's Independence Day
     but I'm so young, I'm just a child,
     I don't think I can lead
     I hope my fathers get together
     and write the laws I need

     1861, again I heard my fathers say
     mount your horses head for the South
     the South will head this way
     my knees grow weak I could not stand
     and to the floor I knelt
     oh God if you can hear my cry
     remember the pain I felt

     The cost of war is so much more
     I said to God that day
     if Your will be satisfied make it go away
     but shots were heard as muskets fired
     and white smoke filled the day
     young boy hollers, I've been hit
     as his brother rides away

     When the war was over
     I hung my head and cried
     and asked myself through my tears
     why so many died
     it was then God raised my head
     to see a black man say
     through the pain and tears of loss
     it's Independence Day!

     So I pledge allegiance to our flag
     for the wars that I've been through
     I fought more wars as before
     for freedom and for you
     so when from afar you can hear me sing
     ``God shed His grace on thee''
     know I'm united under God
     for justice and liberty

     I was older now and wiser
     historically in my teens
     but in those days of my youth
     food became so lean
     but even in my darkest hour
     I didn't give up the fight
     I plowed the fields for our next meal
     thanking God for every bite

     And in the 20th century
     when at times things seemed their worst
     we embraced the changes
     God bestowed upon us first

[[Page E1129]]

     horses learned to fly
     their tails grew into wings
     letters turned to digits
     phones began to ring
     cars come here and take us there
     never leaving us far behind
     technology seems to challenge
     my ever evolving mind

     Now Vietnam has come and gone
     history takes its place
     oh, God forgive me for I have sinned
     when I tried to hide my face
     Desert Storm let's not forget
     the blood that you had shed
     so men and women could return
     to the countries that they fled

     And for all the men and women
     who will answer a fatal call
     I say to you I'll place your name
     upon my strongest wall
     and when at war and we need it most
     our founding fathers will say
     hear ye, hear ye,
     then you'll hear them pray

     Yes I'm fighting hard
     as my father's son
     so men and women can be free
     that's why those wars were won
     so it doesn't really matter
     where you are and when you say
     God bless America
     it's Independence Day!

     Yes,
     God bless America
     it's Independence Day!

                          ____________________