[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 161 (Wednesday, December 8, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING CHIEF MASTER SGT. RICHARD L. ETCHBERGER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2010

  Mr. POMEROY. Madam Speaker, all of us have observed from time to time 
wounded heroes in uniform and with their loving families being guided 
through our Capitol by an energetic tour guide. I know we all 
appreciate the efforts made to reach out to those who are healing from 
the wounds of war and recognize them with these very trips to our 
Capitol.
  The tour guide responsible for these visits is Albert Casswell and as 
I've come to know him, I have been deeply impressed by his commitment 
to those who have served our country.
  This fall I asked Mr. Casswell to provide a tour for the family 
members of Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger during the week 
Chief Etchberger was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of 
Honor for extraordinary heroism in service to our country.
  During the Vietnam War he acted bravely to save the lives of his 
fellow airmen resulting in the tragic loss of his own life.
  Mr. Casswell was moved as I was moved by meeting this wonderful 
family and learning the story of Chief Etchberger. He not only provided 
an exceptional tour for the family, he authored a poem in honor of 
Chief Etchberger and has inquired as to whether it was appropriate to 
include in the Congressional Record. I offer the poem of Mr. Casswell 
in appreciation of all he has done to help our soldiers and for his 
obvious concern for them and their families.


                    SOME THINGS, TIME CAN NOT ERASE

     Some things, Time Can Not Erase
     Some things, time can not erase. . . .
     Some things, so high above all others are so placed. . . .
     A place of Honor, and of most amazing grace!
     That which brings such tears to our Lord's face. . . .
     That which makes the Angels up on 
           high. . . .
     So begin to cry!
     All in your most selfless sacrifice. . . .
     To give up one's fine life. . . .
     For no other gift so burns so bright!
     Yes, Some things hold such a hallowed 
           place. . . .
     As to what new heights a soul can race. . . .
     All in the darkness of most evil war . . . as when most 
           courageous heart so soared!
     That Heaven so insured. . . .
     But, a place up on high . . . but with our Lord. . . .
     Oh yes Richard, all in your Magnificent Honor In Death. . . .
     All in that moment of truth, as when your fine heart so began 
           to crest!
     All In Valor, All In Honor and All In Most Selfless Death. . 
           . .
     As into that darkness, you so bravely marched off but to give 
           your very 
           best. . . .
     As out into a future, all of those lives that you have so 
           blessed. . . .
     And what child may so come, from all of the lives that you 
           helped to save 
           my son. . . .
     That may one day so Save The World, as Thy Will Be Done!
     Because, Some things Time Can Not So Erase. . . .
     For The Truth, Will. . . . Will Out All In The End, All In 
           Honor's Place!
     And Such Magnificent Patriots as you, who have so made these 
           here United States!
     For all of them and their families, Heaven so holds a place!
     For all of those fine sons who had to cry, and ask why did 
           daddy die?
     And that lovely wife, who lost her best friend that night. . 
           . .
     And all of those tearful Christmases not by their sides. . . 
           .
     As all of those most swollen tear drops they all so cried!
     And those beloved parents, whose great pain shall never die, 
           and never end. . . .
     And his Brothers, who but lost their best friend. . . .
     Because, Some things. . . . Time Can Not So Erase!
     Only when reunited in Heaven once again, will this pain so 
           end this weight. . . .
     So wipe all of those tears from your most swollen eyes!
     For your lost love who now so up in Heaven as so resides, 
           take comfort in this realized!
     For Richard, your fine life was such a Tour de Force. . . .
     As you so shined, so magnificently, so brilliantly. . . . so 
           valiantly as you went forth!
     All In Honor and Death, all in that uniform of The United 
           States Air Force you soared!
     As a great American Hero, you will ever live on evermore!
     ``Welcome Home, My Son. . . .''
     For Richard, new wings upon you are 
           worn. . . .
     As An Angel In The Army of Our Lord. . . .
     To watch over us evermore. . . .
     As this day, we present to you. . . . The Medal of Honor, and 
           to all your loved ones. . . .
     Because, Some things. . . . Time Can Not Erase!

                          ____________________