[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E861-E862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING CAPTAIN JOSEPH GUYTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2010

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay special 
tribute to a dedicated American and true patriot for whose service to 
this country as a Captain in the United States Army deserves our 
sincere gratitude. Capt. Joseph ``Joe'' Guyton of Stafford, Virginia 
served with the U.S. Army's 5th Stryker division in Kandahar, 
Afghanistan. On August 11th, 2009, while Capt. Guyton was conducting a 
mounted area reconnaissance his unit was attacked by an improvised 
explosive device. Against all odds he somehow survived, however, the 
attack left him with severe injuries that resulted in the bilateral 
amputation of both of his legs.
  Currently Capt. Guyton is continuing his recovery with the aid of his 
loving wife Amy at Walter Reed Medical Army Center. He amazes and 
inspires us all with his will to live

[[Page E862]]

and a special can do attitude. As he now fights a very different kind 
of war, rebuilding his life without the aid of his two front legs, he 
now runs with his heart. His continued faith and courage in the coming 
years will serve as a source of inspiration to those around him and a 
lesson to us all. We should all offer our sincere blessings to him and 
his fine family that has stood with him through this ordeal. Capt. 
Guyton and his wife, Amy, intend to move back to where they first met 
at the University of Virginia to raise a family.
  This poem, entitled ``Stryking Deep!'' was penned in Capt. Guyton's 
honor by a close friend, Albert Caswell.

                             Stryking Deep!

     Stryking Hard!
     Stryking Fast! Stryking Deep!
     All in our lives, these things that which last! All in our 
           lives to keep!
     Are but, all of those things that which count! That, all 
           hearts should so seek!
     All in our hearts of love, like our gifts from above . . . 
           that which so makes our Lord so weep!
     All along our life's path, our Full Measure upon this earth 
           as asked . . . to climb mountains, steep!
     For there are only so many minutes, before out life's path is 
           complete!
     To leave behind, all in our lives . . . those things which 
           last, oh how so very sweet!
     For from This Great Old Dominion . . .
     Have but come, such great patriotic sons of distinction! Such 
           Fine Virginians!
     The likes of Washington and Lee, Marshall and Jefferson . . . 
           all of these ones!
     Who for our Country Tis of Thee, did what must so be done!
     As when a Cavalier, went off to war . . .
     To Strike Out, and So Very Deep . . . for our Nations 
           Freedom, to ensure!
     Yea, he wasn't no regular Joe! For Strength In Honor, was his 
           code!
     Marching into the face of death . . . for us . . . the things 
           he bore!
     Remember, you sleep well this night!
     All because of such men of light, who our Freedom's so 
           ensure!
     Who So Face Death! And To Us So Bless! Can you, but not ask 
           for more?
     As when that day came, as all in the midst of hell . . .
     Near death, as he so lay . . . close to death that day! As 
           when his fine heart would so swell!
     As when he made that choice, to Stryk Back and Stryk Deep . . 
           . and listen to his inner voice!
     All in his loss, all in his pain! Looking down, as his strong 
           legs so no longer so remained . . .
     As upon, his most courageous face . . . the tears began to 
           rain!
     As his new war had begun, for this one of Virginia's finest 
           Southern Sons . . .
     To Teach Us, To Reach Us, To All Hearts . . . To So Beseech 
           Us!
     Stryking all of our Hearts, so very deep! With his courage 
           and faith, that he would so keep!
     Because, men like him . . . who with their hearts, towards 
           Heaven run . . .
     Our lives, will never be the same! And Capt. Joe Guyton, is 
           his name!
     And if I ever have a Son, I but hope and pray he could be 
           like this one . . .
     Moments, are all we have! All in our lives, To Stryk!
     For What Is True! For What Is Deep! If its Heaven we wish to 
           keep!
     For such noble things in life, to so live and die for . . . 
           is what is right!
     For only from such hearts of Magnificence, can come light!
     WILL WE STAND? WILL WE STRYK!
     STRYK!

  I extend to Captain Guyton my gratitude and deep appreciation for his 
service to the Nation.

                          ____________________