[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 165 (Tuesday, December 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     ``THIS LAND IS MY LAND''--CSM ROCKY SHAPLA, UNITED STATES ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GEOFF DAVIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 14, 2010

  Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor a great 
American story, and patriot, Command Sergeant Major Rocky Shapla of 
Murray, Kentucky. CSM Shapla his lived the American Dream, arriving in 
the U.S. from Yugoslavia at the age of 15. With nothing but the shirt 
on his back he would rise up to become a CSM in the United States Army 
. . . because of his leadership and drive. He has fought in wars, just 
like all of our forefathers who wear the name Patriot . . . because of 
their service to country. With over 41 years in the service, his resume 
is an outstanding one to say the least. Rocky has been recovering from 
injuries sustained in Iraq. He loves the Army, and he loves this 
country. As he put it, ``only in America can you come here without 
nothing, rise up to become a CSM in the United States Army, and have 
dinner at the White House with the President. Its time for this 
Kentucky Thoroughbred to come back home to that blue grass that he so 
loves, Kentucky and his family. I ask that this tribute penned in his 
honor by Albert Caswell be placed in the Record.

                          This Land Is My Land

     This land is my land . . .
     This land is our land . . .
     All in this Country Tis of Thee so grand . . .
     Are but born, such fine son's . . . such son's of liberty who 
           stand . . .
     But, some sons come from far across the seas . . .
     To but live the American Dream . . .
     So many of our future great Americans, new daughters and sons 
           . . .
     Who but new lives have begun . . .
     All in their fine pursuit, of most precious freedom . . .
     Who raise their hands and take that oath . . .
     With tears in eyes, as all in their hearts as this means the 
           most . . .
     The ones who do it the right way . . .
     But, with their own fine lives, are but willing to pay!
     As they assimilate, into this great melting pot . . . as its 
           for them we pray . . .
     The ones who will so proudly, wear that uniform . . .
     As in their fine hearts, their love of country beats ever on 
           . . .
     Willing to face death, giving up all until none lies left . . 
           . as they march on . . .
     Living the American Dream, raising a fine family . . . daring 
           to dream!
     Rising up through the ranks, into a Command Sergeant Major . 
           . .
     As to him, Rocky we give such thanks . . .
     From one war to the next, Rocky's fine life for us has so 
           been pledged!
     Melding into, one of America's most finest sons!
     Yes land is your land, is our land . . .
     Training and leading, all of our most courageous daughters 
           and sons . . .
     Succeeding, for Rocky was a man on a mission!
     Coming to this new world, with but his great dreams and 
           visions unfurled . . .
     A man who fell in love three times . . .
     With his Country, his Wife . . . and the United States Army . 
           . . double time!
     And his children, and Kentucky make five!
     To live a great life, all in that old Kentucky Clay . . .
     This great land of Lincoln, Ali, and most beloved Henry his 
           dreams were made . . .
     Doing it, doing the Right Way . . . the American Way . . .
     Only in America, can one travel across the seas, and a 
           Command Sergeant Major rise up to be . . .
     And raise a fine family, and live the dream . . . a shake the 
           President's hand it seems!
     For hearts of courage full, and fine patriots . . . who live 
           by that golden rule . . .
     Coming across the shores, with hearts of dreams so very full 
           . . .
     This Land is my land, this land is our Land . . . may live 
           the American Dream so true!

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