[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO SPECIALIST MARK THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight one of my 
extraordinary constituents who is currently serving in Iraq. Specialist 
Mark Thompson from Tompkinsville, Kentucky recently wrote to me to 
express his thoughts on the situation in Iraq and I was truly moved by 
his articulate letter. I would like to share his letter with the House 
and I urge all of my colleagues to read Mark's letter and poem. I could 
not be anymore proud of Specialist Thompson and his service to our 
country.
                                                 October 17, 2005.
     Congressman Ed Whitfield,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Whitfield: I hope this letter finds you 
     well. Politics seems heated as usual in the States and many 
     new cballenges are facing you and our country's other 
     leaders. However, I am sure you are taking it all as it comes 
     and continuing to try and find the most appropriate direction 
     as issues arise.
       I am currently serving in the Army at Camp Habbaniyah, 
     Iraq. A huge change from my position as hospital 
     administrator in Tompkinsville as you can imagine. But it has 
     been a good experience to actually be here in this very 
     troubled part of the World and be a part of this, first hand.
       We are in the ``Sunni Triangle'' as this area has been 
     described with a name. Ramadi and Fallujah are within 10 to 
     15 miles of our base with us roughly in the middle. Both are 
     noted hotbeds for insurgent activity as is this entire area 
     of Northwest Iraq. We are experiencing much of the same that 
     you see on TV back home.
       I am sure one of those huge issues you are grappling with 
     is what to support in regards to Operation Iraqi Freedom. I 
     ask you to consider we are still making progress and this is 
     a worthy cause at this point. We do far more good on a daily 
     basis than is ever portrayed back home. Just Saturday (Day of 
     the Voting) our troops helped a very sick 4 month old child 
     get medical care in Baghdad. Also, we are actively training 
     Iraqi troops to ultimately replace us and takeover complete 
     operations of Camp Habbaniyah. Yes, there is much to be 
     discouraged by on a regular basis but the momentum and 
     atmosphere as a whole continues moving forward. The worst 
     thing we can do is leave too soon and risk losing it all to 
     civil war. At the same time we must let the Iraqi Army 
     continue to take over responsibility for areas as soon as 
     possible and the new government as well.
       I see it like welfare. If we take on the responsibility for 
     people too long they can literally fail to progress and be 
     hampered by growing too dependent. We see that very real, 
     negative potential as we work with soldiers and civilians.
       The hard part is how much and when to pull back our 
     support. I know that is something you are being challenged to 
     help determine. Please, listen to sound military leaders as 
     you sort that out. Please do not allow it to be a ``public 
     opinion'' or ``politically correct'' decision. We stand to 
     lose so much more from a bad decision. The Iraqi people stand 
     to lose the most.
       Finally, the vast majority of the people here are very 
     worthy of what we are trying to help them achieve. It is the 
     few that continue to make it so hard. I have attached a 
     simple poem that I was inspired to write not long after 
     coming here. I still believe that our primary intentions 
     should be this simple and straight forward.
           My best wishes to you as always.
           Sincerely,
                                               Spc. Mark Thompson.

                          That Is Why We Came

     As we crossed the Iraqi Border,
     our lives never to be the same.
     That's when it all seemed clearer,
     why we left our families and came.

     The harsh land layout before us,
     with things we have yet to see.
     But kids waving on roadsides,
     unlocked hope inside for me.

     Not much do they have and own,
     but gestures that tell their soul,
     Too young yet to know true hate,
     faith, hope and love are still in control.

     Who knows where freedom will take them,
     and will elders allow it to last?
     Can they hold onto it with passion,
     and never repeat the past?

     It is the children we came for,
     their love should govern this land.
     Who knows where their dreams can take us,
     if not poisoned with History's Brand.

     I pray tonight for a new World,
     where all kids are safe from harm.
     That these children can play like mine,
     in a neighborhood, friendly and warm.

     They are the reason we came,
     their hope from faith we must let soar.
     With love let's finish the task,
     and for them leave open the door.

     

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