[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MY FIRST STEPS: A TRIBUTE TO SPC DAVID MAYER, AN AMERICAN HERO, THE 
                           UNITED STATES ARMY

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                           HON. WALLY HERGER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Mr. HERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a hometown hero . . 
. SPC David Mayer from Placentia, California. As you know, our men and 
women of honor who wear the uniform . . . must come back home and start 
all over again. As each has their own personal mountains to climb. In 
our daily lives, we take for granted the little things, like having two 
legs and being able to walk. And the littlest things can sometimes 
become the greatest of all mountains to climb. Like a soldier who comes 
back home from war, and must start all over again. And take . . . those 
first steps. This poem is dedicated to such an American Hero from 
California, who was ready to give his life for all of us. As he did 
give his two strong legs in the name of freedom, and now his new battle 
has begun. . . . This poem is dedicated to SPC David Mayer, and the 
thousands just like him, who by their actions teach us everyday. Teach 
us all about faith and courage. As David has lost both of his legs in 
an IED explosion in Iraq. I ask that the following poem penned in honor 
of him by Capitol Guide Albert Caswell be put in the Record. And 
remember this Memorial Day our troops sacrifice, and the loving parents 
like that have helped David.

     My . . .
     My First . . .
     My First Steps . . .
     Are but, my first ones. . . .
     My First Steps, that I've begun. . . .
     My new footprints, that I have won . . .
     All in this new battle, all in what must be done!
     All in what is said, and so too what must be won . . .
     All in these, my new baby steps, please . . . all in 
           courage's sun . . .
     Are but, really giant steps . . . as so are each . . . yes, 
           each and everyone. . . .
     With all of that pain, and will . . . as my heart to me so 
           instills . . . TO RUN. . . .
     To fight! One by one . . . Day by Day . . . Night by Night . 
           . . I will say, I'm not done. . . .
     All along heartbreak's way . . . I will walk and I will run . 
           . . and I will see The Rising Sun . . .
     As I will rise . . . and wipe away all of those tears from my 
           eyes . . . look at me, I've just begun. . . .
     For it was but not a long ago, when as a child . . . a memory 
           I will not know . . . when I took . . .
     I took, those very first steps. . . .
     And now, in the coming years . . . as the time so passes here 
           . . .
     I will look back, and I will remember. . . .
     Carried in my heart, all in to warm my soul. . . .
     Forever, the memory . . . these embers . . .
     Of My First Steps!

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