[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1094-E1095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF SERGEANT LEWIS (LOUIE) ANNEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2004

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, recently, a poem was given to me 
in fond memory of Sergeant Lewis (Louie) Annear of the 9th Infantry 
Division, I ask these moving words be included in the Record:

       Last night I had a vision tho my mind was quite awake; A 
     vision born of sadness, of memories I could not shake. In 
     retrospect the years passed by, and uncasing life's review; A 
     boy I loved sat my side, his life I lived anew. I saw him as 
     a baby, I held him in my arms; I prayed the good ALL Father 
     to keep him safe from harm. I saw him as a tow-head, his 
     blond hair all awry. His blue eyes kind and gentle, and heard 
     his happy cry. I saw him fishing on the lake when first he 
     learned to cast; I saw him land his first great fish as 
     whitecaps hurried past. I saw him on the football field, 
     elusive as a ghost. His shifting hips and racing feet seemed 
     to fairly float. I saw him in the house of God, devout, 
     sincere and true; I think the angels gathered there when he 
     was passing through. I saw him in his much loved home alive 
     and always kind; The family sort of worshipful when he was on 
     their mind. I saw him in the workshop when soil begrimed his 
     hand; But, even grandeur proclaimed him every bit a man. I 
     saw him in his uniform when he heard his country's call And 
     despairing of God's mercy, I saw him in his fall. I followed 
     him from ship to beach on Africa's dark shore; I lived with 
     him at Kasserine Pass, Bizerte and far more. I saw his wound 
     and felt his pain when he wrote of how they fought; And 
     prayed to God they would send him home, that was my only 
     thought. I saw my prayers unanswered as from England came the 
     word; This soldier boy was listed for D-Day's most dangerous 
     work. I lived with him for D-Day, felt suspense and honest 
     fear; For only fools, not angels, sought then to give us 
     cheer. Then came the fateful hour, the supreme test was at 
     hand; Poised on the foremost troop ship, I saw him proudly 
     stand. I saw his well trained muscles, twitching there 
     beneath his gear; But, his head was high, his eyes were 
     clear, he was master of all fear. I saw the sea as it tossed 
     on high and heard the grinding waves; And then the roar of 
     guns, and bombs, as night gave way to day. I saw him land, 
     one of the first, his face was to the front; And I prayed to 
     God to save this boy who was always moving up. I lived with 
     him again, those days when death rode every wave; Scant rest 
     or food, just fighting on, for us our homes to save. For days 
     on end, I trudged with him, my mind, his body torn; He would 
     not stop, from dawn to dusk, and yet on until morn. I felt 
     despair, I was sick at heart, it seemed no God or man; Could 
     ask so much of just a boy nor wield such a high command. And 
     when at last he came to rest,

[[Page E1095]]

     it seemed a welcome lair; On foreign soil, at break of day, I 
     saw him lying there. The command to halt had come at last, 
     sweet peace and rest were his; And then I took my weary soul 
     and stole into the mist. My soul seemed dead, my mind a 
     blank, I could not reason why; So great a task was asked of 
     him, or why he had to die. For days I pondered, lost in 
     doubt, just a asking why; And, then at last, the mist broke 
     out, again I saw the sky. I saw the face of God look down, 
     His staff was raised on high; And at His side, with hand in 
     hand, I saw our soldier boy. And there my soul worn vision 
     found its answer as to why; This soldier boy of ours had 
     lived and why he had to die. His life had been all goodness, 
     and glorious his deed; God too, has use for soldiers, very 
     special are His needs. Tis the good who die to glory, and for 
     us left here behind; their noble lives remind us we too 
     should be their kind. The light he burned so brightly, in 
     home or far afield; Will light our steps upward in God's 
     commanded zeal. Encouraged by his example, strengthened by 
     his unfaltering faith, We too may leave the battle, to rest 
     in God's grace. And, so my vision ended, with God and Louie, 
     too; I now resume my journey, as he would have me do.

  So Mr. Speaker it is my honor to rise to recognize Staff Sergeant 
Lewis Annear for his service, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice to our 
great country. As we dedicate the new National World War II Memorial, I 
call on my colleagues to join with me in recognizing this brave 
American as he gave his life to ensure the freedom that America enjoys 
today.

                          ____________________