[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2580-E2581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING LCPL JOSHUA BLEILL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lance Corporal 
Joshua Bleill, a veteran of the Iraq War, a fine Marine and a bright 
light to many of us. I have had the privilege of meeting this 
impressive young man and I am honored to enter the following poem 
written by Burt Caswell of the Capitol Guide Service into the 
Congressional Record.

                             A Bright Light

     A . . .
     A Bright Light!
     Shining, ever into that night!
     Day and Night . . .

     A . . .
     A Shining Star!
     A hero, who will go far!
     Who with his fine heart, stands way above par!

     Who to our world . . .
     So shows what is right!

[[Page E2581]]

     About life, and sacrifice . . . in courage's light!
     Touching all hearts, and souls . . . as left, this night . . 
           . his heart burning bright, burning bold!

     A Marine's, Marine!
     A hero, who once upon battlefields of honor was seen . . .
     Leading Marines, leading men and women of honor . . . upon 
           the scene . . .
     As wherever he convened . . .

     Strength in Honor . . .
     As what his fine life has meant!
     As to all others, and this our world he has so Heaven sent . 
           . .
     Such inspiration, to this his our great nation . . . to this 
           his United States Marines!

     As into the face of death, he went . . .
     Then, to lose his two fine legs, as then . . .
     To fall down into such deep dark pain, and not wain!
     To get up, To rebuild where no lies left . . . as is this his 
           this heroes quest!

     As he teaches us, all about America's Best!
     There! In his darkest of all days, a smile upon his face so 
           conveys!
     Courage's Quest! America's Best . . . as Joshua Bleill amazes 
           us all no less!
     A man who brings such tears to eyes . . . who our world will 
           bless!

     As we watch and learn . . .
     As our hearts for him so burn . . .
     As we watch him stand taller each and every day!
     Running, with his heart all the way . . . needing not his two 
           fine legs!

     As his heart . . .
     Can not be stopped, nor can so be swayed!
     As we watch, as we learn . . . from our Lord's fine son, as 
           our hearts so discern this day!
     The Path To Heaven's Way!

     In our lives, and in our lights . . .
     We but have the shortest of times, to so burn bright!
     But, some . . . high above all others do so shine . . . upon 
           this our world tonight . . .
     Are all of those who are, but the brightest of all our Lord's 
           lights!

     A Joshua Tree!
     The True Fine Measure, of all a heart can be!
     A presence, who upon battlefields of honor . . . was so 
           struck down indeed . . .
     Yet, but would not so concede . . . to rise was he!

     Growing ever taller, ever stronger . . .
     As the days got longer, this champion touching all hearts so 
           indeed . . .
     Could we? Would we? Ever have such courage, to so shine as 
           much light as he in our time?
     As this bright light grows ever stronger, and this Joshua 
           Tree of life . . . grows taller everyday indeed!

     A Bright Light!
     While, there in The Darkest of All Possible fights!
     Can so over come all so indeed!
     This our Lord's Joshua Tree!

                          ____________________