[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE MEMORY OF LANCE CORPORAL JEFFREY C. BURGESS, USMC

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2004

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Lance 
Corporal Jeffrey C. Burgess, USMC, who was killed on March 25 in an 
enemy attack near Fallujah, Iraq. He served his country with courage 
and dignity. There is no greater valor than sacrifice in the name of 
our freedom and national defense. LCPL Burgess and his family will 
always be in our prayers.
  With deepest sympathies, Mr. Speaker, I submit to my colleagues this 
deeply moving letter written to LCPL Burgess by his mother, Michelle 
Shea, which was read at his funeral on April 5:

       Dear Jeff,
       I thought you might want to know what's happened since you 
     left this world for a better place. As usual, life continues 
     on, but oh SO DIFFERENTLY now. Just like you, I am wounded 
     also. The mail still comes each day at the same time, but it 
     now brings letters and cards full of comfort and love from 
     many friends and family.
       Jordon still comes up each morning and has his breakfast 
     with me, delivering a big, dimpled smile and a big ``HI'' 
     comes out of his voice, welcoming in another day with his 
     Nana and Papa.
       The other morning before he came upstairs, I was by myself 
     wondering if I might get some kind of spiritual sign that you 
     were okay and asking myself why I couldn't remember some 
     simple things about you. Maybe that's the brain's way of 
     protecting a grieving parent? I don't know.
       The church asked me to think of saying some words at your 
     service or maybe having a favorite hymn or song played. I 
     tried, Jeff, but nothing would come to me. I tried ever so 
     hard to concentrate in my quiet morning time alone, feeling 
     so frustrated with myself--when I realized that my 
     concentration was being disrupted by all the birds that were 
     chirping from the trees in the backyard. I went to the back 
     door to investigate why they were so worked up, only to find 
     just ONE BIRD. There was a bright red CARDINAL perched on the 
     highest limb trying over and over to get his message out loud 
     and clear--over and over he sang to me.
       Returning to my coffee and note pad, I realized that I had 
     gotten the message. It was in the form of a familiar song, 
     but I didn't know the title or artist. So, I sent Jen to the 
     Mall in search of a song containing the words that I could 
     think of, at the time. She returned with nothing, but on 
     returning home she retrieved her mail, which contained some 
     CD's she had previously ordered. Watching her open her 
     package, I saw a confused look on her face, because she 
     couldn't understand why TIME LIFE had sent her a 60's CD, 
     when she'd ordered a 70's CD. All of a sudden there was a 
     look of amazement on her face as she realized that the CD in 
     her hand contained the very song we'd been looking for. Your 
     song for us. We immediately played it, listening to the 
     lyrics and realized that this was the message that you wanted 
     to share with everyone. So, I'm carrying out your wishes, 
     Jeff, and will make sure that it's heard by all.
       Several more mornings have come and gone since you left and 
     you still come to me each morning, in the form of a Cardinal 
     perched high in the branches of our tree outside and singing 
     your song. I feel better now, knowing you are still with me 
     in the beautiful bird. I now know that you are okay.
       In closing, I want you to know that you touched so many of 
     us in so many ways, just in the short time you were here with 
     us. And, although, I won't ever be the same person I was 
     before, I'll go on thankful that you were once mine and that 
     we'll be together again some day in heaven.
       I'm gonna sign off now so everyone can hear that beautiful 
     song that is the message from you. I'm sure they'll get what 
     you are trying to say, but to be sure, I had it printed in 
     the program for you.
       I love you, Jeff; take care and be forever safe and at 
     peace knowing your brother Marines will finish the job for 
     you.
       Love and Kisses,
       Mom

                              GET TOGETHER

                           (The Youngbloods)

     Love is but a song to sing
     Fear's the way we die
     You can make the mountains ring
     Or make the angels cry
     Though the bird is on the wing
     And you may not know why

     Come on people now
     Smile on your brother
     Everybody get together
     Try to love one another right now

     Some may come and some may go
     We shall surely pass
     When the one that left us here
     Returns for us at last
     We are but a moment's sunlight
     Fading in the grass

     *Come on people now
     Smile on your brother
     Everybody get together
     Try to love one another right now

     *(Repeat)
     *(Repeat)

     If you hear the song I sing
     You will understand (listen!)
     You hold the key to love and fear
     All in your trembling hand
     Just one key unlocks them both
     It's there at your command

     *(Chorus)
     *(Repeat)
     *(Repeat)

                          ____________________