[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E387-E388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN JOSEPH GOULD FOR HIS SERVICE AND HIS POEM, OLD GLORY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2010

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to United States 
Navy Captain Joseph Gould (Retired), who bravely served his country in 
time of war and continues to play a role in honoring America through 
his authorship of a much revered poem, Old Glory.
  Captain Gould was born in Brunswick, Georgia, in 1920 and graduated 
from the United States Naval Academy in May of 1942 before being 
deployed in World War II.
  Captain Gould's 23 years as a Navy officer include service as 
commander of the LSM449 Amphibious Ship, executive officer of the USS 
Radford Destroyer, commander of the USS Silverstein DE534 Destroyer 
Escort, and commander of 15 ocean mine sweepers. He concluded his 
military service assigned to the Pacific Fleet as a Fleet Intelligence 
Officer at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Captain Gould retired from the United 
States Navy on November 1, 1965.
  A resident of Fairhope, Alabama, Captain Gould penned a patriotic 
poem, Old Glory, to honor our nation's flag. This inspiring tribute has 
been adopted by the Baldwin County Commission in its presentations to 
honor local World War II veterans.
  I would like to include Captain Gould's poem in the Record, and on 
behalf of a grateful nation, I thank Captain Gould for his service to 
America.

                               Old Glory

                           (By Joseph Gould)

     I have survived quite a lot of hype
     Since Betsy Ross designed my prototype,
     Some have been false, some have been true;
     I've selected some pertinent facts for you.

     I was with Paul Revere at the end of his ride;
     The first man on the moon had me at his side.
     I was with the lads at Bunker Hill,
     Aboard ``Old Ironsides'' I'm flying still.
     I went with George across the Delaware,
     Inspired Francis Scott Key in the rockets' red glare.
     Abe Lincoln flew me from a Gettysburg steeple
     And ever since then I've been liberating people.
     I stormed ashore with Marines at Guadalcanal,
     Climbed Mount Suribachi with a G.I. pal.
     I rode with Patton 'til we reached the Rhine,
     And only stopped when the Allies drew the line.


[[Page E388]]


     I've seen our enemies brought to their knees
     Including the Germans and Japanese.
     I watched Ronald Reagan as he stood tall
     and said, ``Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall!''
     I've sailed the seven seas with the boys in Navy blue,
     Made the journey to the North and South poles too.
     I've basked in the sun on many a tropic isle;
     I've marched city streets in grandiose style.
     Today you can find me in the Middle East
     Helping to suppress the Terrorist Beast
     That hates and despises our way of life and
     Continually causes much worldly strife.

     Now that you've heard my story true
     I have a request to make of you;
     Promise that evermore I shall wave
     Over the land of the free and home of the brave.

     I am Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes--forever!

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