[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 37 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DON'T CRY FOR ME--IN HONOR OF A REAL AMERICAN HERO PFC BRENDAN 
    MARROCCO, STATEN ISLAND STEEL, THE UNITED STATES ARMY, AND HIS 
                           MAGNIFICENT FAMILY

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                        HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 15, 2010

  Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, PFC Brendan Marrocco of Staten Island, 
New York. Rocco, as his Brothers in Arms call him, is an inspiration to 
all of us and to all the men and women recovering over at Walter Reed 
Hospital. Rocco is the only surviving quadruple amputee of the Iraq 
war. His will to live, and his courage makes him a heroes' hero, and a 
shining lesson to us all. His family, like his brother Michael who quit 
his job, is always there for him. His fine father and mother raised one 
heck of a son. For Rocco's heart matches this Gotham City from which he 
comes. Could there be a bigger one? I ask that this poem, penned by 
Albert Caswell in honor of him, his family, and SGT Jeff Mittman, and 
all of our heroes of these wars, FAOY, who have come home to teach us 
all, be placed in the Record. Bless them all.

                           Don't, Cry for Me!

     Don't, cry for me!
     Lift up your head, there's so much more I'm going to be!
     Don't, feel sorry for me!
     Yea, I've hurt . . . but, I'm growing ever stronger! Don't 
           you see?
     Yea, its been hard . . . and it will always be!
     But, this is the life that I so chose to lead!
     But, on this road that we call life . . . there are no 
           promises, or guarantees . . .
     All except, for what's deep down inside of me! Arms and legs, 
           we all need!
     But, we can survive! But, without hearts . . .
     We so surely, can not so breathe! For all in life, of which 
           is great . . .
     Love, valor, hope, courage, and honor . . . and so sacrifice 
           . . .
     So emanates, from deep down inside of me!
     Sure, I'd love to touch and feel . . .
     Or run once again . . . upon my once two strong legs so very 
           real . . .
     Still, all of this pain and heartache can not so steal . . .
     My heart, that which so beats inside of me!
     That which so heals all of me! Don't cry for me!
     Because, there's Staten Island steel inside of me!
     Yea . . . I'm up and running . . . can't you see?
     Well, you better get started . . . if you want to catch up 
           with me!
     As I make the best of what my Lord God has so left to me . . 
           .
     For all is possible, when hearts believe!
     People live such useless lives!
     Honor in death and freedom . . . are but for what I rise!
     As but what, I've so lived for . . . and die!
     And all of my most precious gifts, my arms and legs . . .
     And so all of this . . . I give to thee, and not ask why?
     Yea, I'd love to see . . .
     Or hear, all those words you're saying to me . . .
     But, my heart still hears and sees!
     For all I've lost, and is no longer part of me!
     For I can hear, far much more clearer now! And see . . . 
           indeed!
     Standing here, now with but half a face . . .
     With such scars and burns . . .
     And such great burdens upon my soul as placed!
     As so bravely, I carry on . . . both night and day . . .
     But, in my Lord's eyes . . . my beauty so emanates!
     To make a difference with it all!
     As but what I so fought for, what I saw!
     As I so answered that most noble cause!
     As my new battle is to be won!
     To so shine upon this world, all in courage's sun . . .
     Giving hope to all, each and everyone!
     For in this minute, That we call life . . .
     Have you but so made a difference, I cry?
     All in this our Lord's eyes?
     And for all of those, who failed or not tried . . .
     It's but for you, I cry!
     Don't Cry For Me!

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