[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E866-E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING LANCE CORPORAL BRANDON JOSEPH LONG

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARLIN A. STUTZMAN

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2011

  Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American 
hero, Lance Corporal Brandon Joseph Long of the 3rd battalion, 5th 
Marines, ``Darkhorse'' Lima Company from my district in Ft. Wayne, 
Indiana. On September 27, 2010, while out on point in Helmand Province, 
Afghanistan, Brandon stepped on a pressure plate which nearly cost him 
his life. He died four times on that day. He said the thought of Nicole 
and his child Clair kept him alive and that he left his body, but when 
he rose up to Heaven they told him that it was not his time. He has 
been part of one of the most courageous units, losing over 150 United 
States Marines. In a few short months he has come so far and a large 
part is due to his family. His lovely supportive wife and new born 
child have put a smile on his face and given him something to live for. 
Some people are put upon this earth to teach us and inspire us. Well, 
Brandon is one of those people. In honor of Brandon, I ask that this 
poem, penned by Albert Caswell, be placed in the Record.

                         U . . . B . . . LONG!

     U . . .
     U . . . B . . .
     U . . . B . . . LONG!
     As Brandon, as is your fine life's song. . . .
     With but the greatest of all Americans, so very strong. . . .
     All in our nation's history, who now so belong. . . .
     Belong, to the defenders of the free!
     As there is but such a list of most magnificent Americans, so 
           indeed!
     Who all for our Country Tis of Thee, would so die and bleed!
     Ooo . . . rah Jar Head, As a United States Marine we see!
     As Freedom Fighters, who but bring our liberty!
     All to leave, a better world for you and 
           me. . . .
     Men and women, of such magnificent 
           grace. . . .
     Who one and all, the darkest of all evils so face. . . .
     With tears in eyes, as they so watched their fine brothers 
           die as still they kept pace. . . .
     And still so valiantly marched onward, as their most heroic 
           hearts so raced. . . .
     The ones, such men of The Dark Horse who came home without 
           arms and legs. . . .
     All in their most amazing grace, teaching us all the meaning 
           of courage and 
           faith. . . .
     And now comes another honored name. . . .
     Lance Corporal Brandon Long, of Lima Co. as one in the same. 
           . . .
     For in our nation's history, have but come such Hoosiers so 
           indeed. . . .
     Such fine patriots of peace, sons and daughters who so 
           believe. . . .
     Who are a part of one of the greatest fighting machines, The 
           United States Marines!
     Who once upon battlefields of honor seen, so courageously 
           fought all in green. . . .
     As Brandon, as was your sheen!
     And when, all out on point as an IED explosion almost took 
           your life. . . .
     Dying four times, but for his daughter and wife. . . . 
           somehow your strength ignited!
     At Heaven's gate, you said you were told it's not your time 
           yet. . . .
     As when you Marine, your new battle had just begun. . . .
     As . . . The Walls . . . came tumbling down . . . tumbling 
           down, you Indiana's son!
     All in your most magnificent shades of green, all in what 
           must be won!
     As when you awoke, and you did not just step . . . but began 
           to run. . . .
     Running to recovery, as deep down inside . . . your fine 
           heart shone like the sun!
     Bringing you back from the dead, as you lifted up your head. 
           . . .
     And saw what you had left, take the hill Marine . . . as all 
           of our lives you so bless!
     As You So Teach Us . . . and So Beseech Us . . . and So Reach 
           Us, oh so yes!
     All with what that you so had left, as your courage began to 
           crest!
     All for his beautiful daughter Claire and his lovely wife 
           Nicole so yes. . . .

[[Page E867]]

     As you so reached so deep down inside, your fine soul!
     To find that kind of courage, that you can only find in 
           hearts of gold!
     And if ever I had a son, I wish he could be like you the one. 
           . . .
     Who such magnificent courage so holds. . . .
     Who all in his most heroic shades of green, is but a fine 
           champion so seen. . . .
     For only so few in our Nation's history, have so lived so 
           such lives so splendidly!
     And took up that charge, and into that valley of death so 
           marched. . . .
     All so that we may be free!
     All out on their most heroic course, to make a difference 
           with it all and go forth!
     And so answered out Nation's call. . . .
     For only a few will know this song, for only a few to such 
           heights will belong. . . .
     Right at the top of that list! As America's greatest of all 
           sons . . . their song!
     Oh yes Brandon, that's U. . . .
     U . . . B . . .
     U . . . B . . . Long!

                          ____________________