[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1172-E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DRURY SHOEMAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, as we have just recently reflected on the 
loss of President Reagan and have also recently remembered those who 
have given their lives in defense of this great Nation on Memorial Day, 
I wanted to also pay tribute to the late Drury Shoemaker of my District 
in Tennessee.
  Drury's beloved widow, Hazel, sent me a nice note in remembrance of 
her late husband, who served in the United States Marine Corps. Drury 
Shoemaker was a fine Marine, part of the C-1-28-5th Division that 
participated in the battle of Iwo Jima. He survived the War, but later 
took ill as a result of exposure to radiation from the Hiroshima 
nuclear explosion. Drury went to be with the Lord on December 11, 2001.
  Known as Papaw to his special grandson Darrian, Drury often spoke of 
taking his wife and grandson back to Iwo Jima to share with them such 
an important place in his life. Unfortunately, his health did not allow 
for that special trip.

[[Page E1173]]

  During the many services I attended on Memorial Day, I especially 
remembered the service of Drury W. Shoemaker to our Country and the 
love he showed for his family and fellow Marines.
  Mr. Speaker, this Nation would be a much better place if there were 
more people here like Drury Shoemaker. His loving widow, Hazel, 
composed a wonderful prayer, especially timely as we remember those who 
have paid the ultimate price and at a time when we dedicate a wonderful 
new memorial to those who served in World War II. I would like to call 
this special prayer to the attention of my colleagues and other readers 
of the Record.

       Dear Lord and Creator: As America is preparing to dedicate 
     the World War II Memorial in Washington, at a time our Nation 
     is again involved in a war, Lord, my plea to you this day is 
     that through your wisdom and power you will help the people 
     of America truly understand what freedom has cost us.
       From Flanders Field to Arlington, from Iwo Jima to 
     Hiroshima, all across Europe (the world really), our loved 
     ones have paid the price in full, Dear Lord, either with 
     their living until death takes them in conditions almost 
     unbearable for them and the ones caring for them. Our 
     veterans are dying by the thousands every day Lord, and the 
     pain and loneliness only you know and understand. Tears, 
     Lord, that seem to have no end. Long days and worse nights, 
     torment that never goes away. Lord, please stand by the 
     widows and the little ones who cannot understand where their 
     Papaw has gone, they just cry themselves to sleep and ask 
     why. God, please help us to endure, because that's all we can 
     do, just endure until we are again with the ones we love.
       In your mercy and love please protect my President and the 
     men and women who are truly trying to bring this war to an 
     end. Give them wisdom and courage and strength.
       The Memorial is beautiful Lord, but only you can know that 
     the heartbreak the ones left behind endure is not pretty, 
     it's awful and never ending.
       God, please, I pray again, stay close by our little ones 
     who just can't understand loss.
       Help us, Lord, as a Nation to stand firm and faithful and 
     every day thank you for your Love and Protection.
       Thank you Lord for listening. Amen.

     Mrs. Drury W. Shoemaker.

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