[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STRIDE, STRIDE BY STRIDE: SGT KENDRA COLEMAN, 173RD SPECIAL TROOPS 
              BATTALION, AIRBORNE, THE UNITED STATES ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM MARSHALL

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Georgia's 
finest! On May 11, 2010 in Charkh Afghanistan, an American Hero named 
Seargent Kendra Coleman of The 173rd Special Troops Battalion Airborne, 
United States Army almost lost her life in an IED explosion. Clinging 
to life, and losing her leg she had a choice to make, give up or get 
up! She chose to get up and begin her run to recovery! In just a few 
short months she traveled so far and so fast in her recovery. The 
strides she has made, have taught us all so much, and will continue to 
bless us all. She is a shining example of the type of women and men who 
serve our Nation in The United States Armed Forces, and their families 
quiet courage who help them to recover. Kendra and her husband Brandon, 
are rebuilding their life at record pace, and they make us all proud to 
be Americans. I ask that this poem penned in honor of them by Albert 
Caswell be placed in the Record.

                        STRIDE, STRIDE BY STRIDE

     Stride,
     Stride by Stride!
     Step, Step by Step!
     All within a fine heart resides. . . .
     All in what, a heart of honor so excepts. . . .
     So excepts, so deep down inside!
     This gift from God!
     That which so brings tears, to even the Angel's eyes. . . .
     Our Nation blesses, with all of your most selfless sacrifice 
           so yes this. . . .
     As yes you Kendra, are but where courage lies. . . . where 
           Courage Crest's!
     A Hero who goes off to war. . . .
     All for our God and Country Tis of Thee, as was your burden 
           bore!
     When, all in the midst of most evil war. . . .
     A hero lies bleeding, clinging to life. . . . As Such 
           Strength In Honor. . . .
     Faith In Heart's, she is so needing!
     As when you looked down, and saw what this war had found!
     As when, your most courageous heart began to pound. . . .
     With only one leg now!
     As you hit the ground running, for nothing was going to hold 
           you down!
     Wiping those tears from your most beautiful eyes, and as you 
           began to stride!
     Step by Step! Stride by Stride, as defeat you would not 
           except! RISE!
     Going The Distance, When Courage Crests!
     To Teach Us! To So Beseech Us! To All Hearts, To So Reach Us!
     Running To Recovery, upon wings of courage you now so glide!
     Because, your Army Strong! Because, The Title Hero. . . . 
           upon you so belongs!
     Mothers! Fathers! Teach your daughters about this great 
           American Love Song!
     And The Steps We Take, The Strides We Must Make! All to live 
           a great life!
     Kendra, at such a great pace. . . . your fine heart so runs 
           this night!
     Oh how you Shine, 'Oh how you bring your light!
     In life, What Steps do take?
     What strides must we so make?
     To Heaven rise!
     Hooah! Kendra. . . .
     Oh how you touch our hearts inside!
     With each new Stride!
     Stride By Stride!

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