[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


THIS HANUKKAH--IN HONOR OF ALL OUR ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES THIS 
                                HANUKKAH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a poetic 
tribute in honor of our magnificent Armed Forces and their splendid 
families this Hanukkah, and holiday season. And for all of the ones who 
are so separated by the miles so very far across the shores. Our 
hearts, especially go out to all of those families who have lost their 
greatest loves of all, in the defense of our Nation. And to all of 
those recovering from the grave wounds of war we pray for their speedy 
recovery. Bless them all! I ask that this poem penned by Albert Caswell 
be placed in the Record in honor of them as follows:

                             This Hanukkah

     This Hanukkah . . .
     As the family gathers round . . .
     All in This Festival of Lights to be found . . .
     All in this time of remembrance, as described in the Talmud 
           of long . . . long ago . . .
     With eights days of light and remembrance, of events so 
           miraculous so . . .
     As the children dance with songs of joy, and the love of your 
           family grows . . .
     Reciting Hallel prayer, and the games, as the Dreidels spin 
           there so . . .
     We should also remember, this other miracle of all of those . 
           . .
     THE MIRACLE OF OUR ARMED FORCES, SELFLESSNESS SO!
     Of All Those families! Those Patriots of Peace, of all of 
           these . . .
     The ones, who will not together be . . .
     Who upon battlefields of honor fight . . .
     So far away from our Country Tis of Thee, on this night . . .
     Men and Women of honor bright, who for all of us so carry on 
           that fight . . .
     Who live with such heartache and death, as on each new day 
           our lives they bless . . .
     And all of those ones, whose greatest of all loves . . . now 
           lie in soft quiet graves . . .
     Precious Daughters and Sons, Husbands and Wives . . .
     Brother and Sisters, Fathers and Mothers who gave . . .
     The greatest of gifts, That Last Full Measure . . . as did 
           they!
     Whose loved ones pain, can not be healed by time . . . nor so 
           divided this day . . .
     As on this joist holiday season, they sit with tears in eyes 
           do they . . .
     With one less place at the dinner table set . . . with all of 
           this grieving so yet!
     And all of those who have come home, without arms and legs . 
           . .
     Inspiring us with their courage they!
     Blessing us all, but with all those fine gifts of 
           selflessness conveyed!
     Making us all so see, just how magnificent and inspiring a 
           heart can be!
     And all of those who have loved ones, far across the shores . 
           . .
     As each new day, but brings to them such great worry so for 
           sure . . .
     But, waiting . . . but waiting for, that dreaded knock on the 
           door . . .
     That phone call, that they so now pray not for . . .
     Quiet Heroes, one and all!
     Watching them from Heaven, The Angel's tear drops fall . . .
     Lord God, Lord God . . . Bless Them . . . Bless Them All!
     For So Many, So Few Have But Paid The Cost!
     So bore the burden, so carry that cross! That cross of war!
     This Hanukkah, as you hold your families tight . . . and all 
           seems so very right . . .
     As you see all those smiles on your children's faces, as 
           these sacred nights races . . .
     Give thanks, Give praise . . . as upon your knees you pray . 
           . .
     For all of those families, whose sacrifice . . . the 
           blessings of freedom, they gave!
     On This Hanukkah, in this The Kindling . . . as each new 
           candle you light . . .
     Eight days of prayer and gratitude, in this joist Festival of 
           Lights . . .
     A time for families to celebrate, to remember how miracles 
           can burn so bright . . .
     Remembering too, our Armed Forces miracles of sacrifice . . .
     This Hanukkah!

                          ____________________