[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 29, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4211-S4212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                  Private First Class John C. Johnson

  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, today we honor the life and heroic 
sacrifice of PFC John C. Johnson of Phoenix, AZ. He died on May 27, 
2011, in Bayman Province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his 
mounted patrol received small arms fire. He was 28 years old. Private 
Johnson and his wife Jennifer were expecting a baby daughter at the 
time of his death.
  Private Johnson's parents remember him as a honest, affectionate son, 
and his wife remembers him as a dedicated husband and loving father. 
Growing up in Arizona's rugged landscape, he developed hunting and 
tracking skills that would later contribute to his resourcefulness as a 
soldier. Private Johnson enlisted in the Army in February 2010, 
commenting that he was committed to providing a better life for his 
family.
  He served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of C 
Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, 
based at Fort Drum, NY. His bravery and outstanding service quickly won 
the recognition of his commanders. Private Johnson earned, among other 
distinctions, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on 
Terrorism Service Medal, and the NATO Medal.
  Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of 
life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Private 
Johnson's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by selflessly 
putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He lived with a 
sense of the highest honorable purpose.
  I stand with people in Colorado and nationwide in profound gratitude 
for Private Johnson's tremendous sacrifice. At substantial personal 
risk, he fought in Afghanistan with unwavering courage to protect 
America's citizens and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and 
the lives he touched, Private Johnson will forever be remembered as one 
of our country's bravest.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Vicki, his mother, John, 
his father, Jennifer, his wife, and his entire family, who carry on 
Private Johnson's memory and will forever remind us of his sacrifice.


                        Sergeant William Steele

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a Freedom Fighter from 
Chicago, IL, an American Hero, SGT William Steele.
  He is a man who proudly went off to war for his country. On June 25, 
2009, William lost his leg and almost his life after an IED explosion 
in Maili, Afghanistan.
  Sergeant Steele returned home an even stronger soldier, determined to 
continue to fulfill his dream with an Army career as a drill sergeant. 
And with the support of his mother, who at the age of 17 signed the 
papers so he could enlist in the Army, he will.
  One of his favorite quotes from his mother that has inspired him is, 
``There is no sense of looking down, hold your head up!'' Sergeant 
Steele has done just that, making us all proud of him.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that this poem penned in honor 
of him by Albert Caswell, be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                              Cold Steele


  IN HONOR OF A REAL AMERICAN HERO, SGT WILLIAM STEELE UNITED STATES 
                  ARMY, HHC 1-178th INFANTRY REGIMENT

     Cold Steele!
     What is right, what is real!
     What is strong, all in what a most courageous heart reveals!
     While, all upon battlefields of honor bright . . . all in 
           these killing fields . . .
     Dark days and nights . . .
     As from down within, as how a heart so reaches deep down to 
           begin . . .
     To begin this fight, whether on battlefields of honor bright 
           . . . or in a hospital to unite . . .
     Because, only with a most courageous heart of Steele . . . 
           will we so win that night!
     As all in time revealed . . .
     When, courage crests . . . as one of America's Finest, The 
           Army's Best . . .
     For only there, in these the darkest days of all nights . . .
     As only there, all in life and death . . . all in this fight!
     Will hearts of strength and Steele, so crest . . . to reveal 
           to bring their light!
     Your medal, of what you are made . . . so very real!

[[Page S4212]]

     All in his strength . . . all in William's Cold Steele!
     As a Chicago boy, who had it rough . . . trying to lift up 
           himself . . .
     At seventeen, his Mother signed the papers . . . to insure 
           his future dreams . . .
     For William was born to be, in The United States Army . . . 
           Hoooah indeed . . .
     As this was to be, his final casting and molding . . . into a 
           heart of Steele, you see . . .
     Letting this Chicago Lad, Be All That He Could Be . . .
     When, all in a moment of truth . . . as an explosion almost 
           took his life, but lies the proof . . .
     As this young man's medal was to be tested, as where lies the 
           truth . . .
     While, on the edge of death as he awoke with one leg left . . 
           .
     As his tears would crest, as he remembered his Mother who him 
           had blessed . . .
     In his head, the words she said, ``There is no sense of 
           looking down, hold your head up!''
     As somehow the strength he found . . .
     As from that moment on, his most gallant heart of Steele so 
           moved on!
     To fight the good fight, burning bold . . . burning bright!
     For you see, The Army is William's life!
     As he would not give up, nor give in . . . until he's back in 
           action again . . .
     For inside this heart of Steele, such warmth is revealed . . 
           .
     And if ever I had a son, oh how I wish he could be like this 
           one!
     Throughout our Country Tis of Thee, all in our nation we have 
           seen . . .
     Hearts of Steele, Freedom Fighters like Dr. King, and Rosa 
           Parks . . .
     Because, of all of their courage and sacrifice, and most 
           magnificent hearts . . .
     Blessing this our country tis of thee!
     And now a new name to the list, of a young man who for us so 
           much would give . . .
     With his heart of Freedom Fighter, teaching us all how to 
           live!
     With but Hearts of Steele!

                          ____________________