[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO AN AMERICAN HERO: SERGEANT MAJOR RAYMOND MACKEY, 3RD 
                         BATTALION 10TH MARINES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 21, 2010

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an American 
Hero, Sergeant Major Raymond Mackey of Sierra Vista, Arizona and the 
3rd Battalion 10th Marines. This Marine has served our Nation for 28 
years; leading and inspiring our Nation's Marines.
  On December 23, 2009, while on patrol, he noticed a marker left by 
the enemy indicating an improvised explosive device, IED, up ahead. As 
he pushed a fellow Marine out of the way of the IED, it exploded and 
Sergeant Major Mackey lost his legs and almost his life. With the help 
of his wife, Vicki, he recovered and is doing well today.
  I ask that the following poem by Albert Caswell penned in honor of 
Major Mackey and his family be placed in the record:

                          Arizona's Bright Son

     Arizona's son . . .
     Shining, but so very brightly . . . as but does, so this one!
     Ah yes Raymond, you are one of her brightest of all ones!
     As thy will be done!
     A United States Marine, oh yes, you are on one of the finest 
           of all things!
     That, this our Country . . . has . . . ever so seen . . .
     As a leader of women and men, as upon battlefields of honor 
           you would descend . . .
     A Sergeant Major, whose entire life will be . . . and has 
           always been . . .
     One of strength in honor, time and time again!
     As so boldly forth, Mac you have worn that fine shade of 
           green!
     As a magnificent brave heart, who would go off to war to lead 
           . . .
     Leaving behind, all that you so loved . . . and adored!
     All for God and Country, all for our most precious freedom to 
           ensure!
     As into such fine heroes, molding and leading our men and 
           women so for sure!
     As when, all in that moment's of truth . . .
     Saving your brother in arm's life, giving up your own two 
           strong legs . . . as lies the proof!
     As when, you looked down . . . and so saw what you had found 
           . . .
     As the tears upon his most heroic face, came streaming down!
     But, Marines don't quit! They lead!
     As now Sergeant Major Mackey, you have a new battle to win . 
           . . a new war to succeed!
     For some heroes, are but put upon this earth!
     To teach us, to reach us . . . to all of our hearts so 
           beseech us . . . all in their worth!
     For all in our Lord God's heart, they do so surely come 
           first!
     As does, this bright son now shine! As over the skies of 
           Arizona, you so rise!
     With but your faith and courage, but bringing tears to all of 
           our eyes!
     The kind of son, I wished was mine!
     Who will one day, Heaven . . . for his faith and courage, 
           wings will so find!
     Oh Mac, how you do shine! All in your life, all in your time!
     And all of those lives that you have saved . . .
     And all of those magnificent heroes you have so trained and 
           trained!
     And all for your most heroic brothers in arms, who no so lie 
           in soft quiet graves . . .
     Have so marched forth all in those magnificent shades of 
           green!
     As you will rise up with your heart of courage full, as once 
           again to lead the way!
     As your most courageous life, so brightens all of our days!
     Marine! ``Oh Mackey, how you do shine!''
     There's an even brighter son, now shining this day all in 
           Arizona's skies!
     It's you, Sergeant Major Raymond Mackey, whose heart to new 
           heights as does so rise!

                          ____________________