[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          VETERANS DAY PRAYER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2007

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, as grateful Americans 
provide deserved tributes for our courageous veterans, I have 
fortunately been provided a profound poem from Clinton B. Campbell of 
Beaufort, South Carolina.

                 [From the Journal of New Jersey Poets]

                         My Veterans Day Prayer

                        (By Clinton B. Campbell)

     Lord, when the pull of my bed lures me to stay another hour,
     please remind me of taps being played for the fallen,
     of the tears that reach my cheek after each name is read,
     the ones I knew personally and the ones old-timers talk about 
           in awe.

     After the crowd stumbles through the Pledge of Allegiance
     I want to be there and listen with all my heart
     while the winner of this year's essay contest quiets the 
           crowd
     reminding us of why we are paying our respects.

     When the closing prayer is read I want to look around in 
           honor at my fellow vets,
     the men and the women in their timeworn uniforms.
     Let me see them as they were, splendidly marching forward
     with the courage that allows us to have a choice of whether 
           we come here today or not.

                          ____________________