[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 119 (Monday, August 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF CORPORAL BRIAN AFT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 1, 2011

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize United States 
Marine Corporal Brian Aft.
  On April 18, 2011, Corporal Aft was heavily injured by an IED 
explosion while patrolling on duty in Afghanistan. Corporal Aft 
sustained life threatening injuries, losing his lower extremities. Like 
many of our brave and dedicated men and women in the United States 
armed forces, Corporal Aft demonstrates great courage in the midst of 
his rehabilitation and as he moves forward toward the next phase of his 
life.
  Indeed, the families and loved ones of injured soldiers like Corporal 
Aft play a vital role in their journey to recovery. Their unwavering 
love and support provide these injured warriors great strength. These 
family members place their own lives on hold while focusing primarily 
on the injured warrior. Stories such as Corporal Aft's and his family 
remind us why we are proud to be Americans. May God bless them all in 
the midst of this difficult time. I ask that the following poem 
``Forever . . . Aft . . . Er'' inspired from Corporal Aft's story be 
placed in the Congressional Record.

                       Forever . . . Aft . . . er

                          (By Albert Caswell)

     FOR.
     FOR EVER . . .
     FOREVER . . . AFT . . . ER!
     All in the days of our lives . . .
     All in the moments that we're alive . . .
     That which so make the Angel's cry!
     All in what we have so left behind?
     All in our lifetimes, so to find . . . , that which so does 
           shine . . .
     That which so lives on, long Aft . . . er we are gone!
     To march off to war, all for your Country Tis of Thee . . . 
           to her freedom to so insure!
     All in your most magnificent shades 
           of green . . .
     To wear that mantel, and hold that high honor of being The 
           Best . . . A United States Marine!
     As on each new day you so faced death, all but for this our 
           Nation to so bless!
     As out on point Brian, somehow you so boldly went . . . all 
           out into such death!
     As you Corporal Aft, so selflessness, so bravely moved forth 
           in all they asked!
     All with your Brothers In Arms, with that blood that binds 
           you so yes!
     Is that but not what heaven is for?
     For such things as these Brian, live forever on!
     Long Aft . . . er, we are gone!
     And then on battlefields of honor bright,
     As you so courageously lost your two strong fine legs . . . 
           this dreadful sight!
     As the tears came rolling down, lying there . . . halfway to 
           heaven, as you had to so decide!
     When, from somewhere so very deep down inside . . ., you 
           chose life, and began to try . . .
     For such things Brian live on, Ever . . . Aft . . . er . . . 
           Ever . . . Aft . . . er we are gone!
     You see my son, some people like you are put upon this earth!
     All by our Lord To So Teach Us, To So Reach, and So Beseech 
           Us in all their worth!
     Reminding us all in life, what so surely so comes first!
     For you Brian will walk, and you will run . . . as your fine 
           heart shines like the mid-day sun!
     For you are a United States Marine, one of the greatest 
           things our Nation has so seen!
     And if ever I have a son, I but wish he could so walk as 
           courageously all in those shades of green!
     Ooo . . . Rah! Ooo . . . Rah, Jar Head . . . , all for our 
           country you have bled!
     Arms and legs we all need, but we can live without . . . but 
           without a heart we can so breath!
     As you Star of Texas, shine so brilliantly!
     Because, in Heaven with our Lord you need not arms or legs!
     And that's where your going Brian 
           one day . . .
     Forever . . . Aft . . . er!

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