[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING AMERICAN HERO LANCE CORPORAL JUSTIN GAERTNER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Nugent) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great son of 
Trinity, Florida, Corporal Justin Gaertner of the United States Marine 
Corps First Combat Engineer Battalion. I have had the honor of getting 
to know Justin over the past year, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to 
share his story.
  After being deployed to Afghanistan, Justin took on one of the most 
dangerous jobs there is in the Marine Corps. He was the lead sweeper, 
clearing roads of IEDs in advance of U.S. vehicles.
  On November 26, 2010, Justin's unit was traveling with an eight-truck 
convoy. One of the trucks struck an IED. Following the explosion, one 
of Justin's good friends, Corporal Gabriel Martinez, lost both of his 
legs in a second IED attack while he rushed to aid that downed vehicle. 
Justin desperately wanted to help his friend, but his responsibility 
was to continue the mission, to continue to sweep for IEDs to ensure 
the safety of the rest of the convoy. It was during the sweep that a 
third IED was remotely detonated as Justin had just entered that area. 
The explosion propelled Justin into the air and took both of his legs 
and severely injured one of his arms. Justin paid a terrible price that 
day while helping to protect fellow marines.
  When I first met Justin at Walter Reed Army Hospital in January of 
this year, he was more concerned about his brother marines that were 
still in country than he was about his own safety. He wanted to return 
to that company of marines to help ensure the safety of his fellow 
marines that were still left in Afghanistan. That's what heroes do. 
He's since made an incredible recovery while at Walter Reed National 
Military Medical Center, but that was with the help of dedicated 
medical staff, the support of his mother and his family and of fellow 
marines. Justin is getting stronger every day.
  When I first met Justin in January of this year, he told me one of 
his future goals was to compete in a marathon. Today I'm proud to 
announce that this past weekend, less than 1 year since he was wounded 
in combat, Justin completed the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon in the hand 
crank division in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 39 seconds. Justin and his 
family have been an inspiration to me and make us all proud to be 
Americans because of their sacrifice on the battlefield.
  On behalf of a grateful Nation, I want to take this opportunity to 
again thank Justin for his bravery and his sacrifice on behalf of his 
Nation. And I want to thank all the troops that have been in harm's 
way, that have volunteered to protect this great Nation at great risk 
to themselves.

                            Shades of Green


   IN HONOR OF AN AMERICAN HERO, LANCE CORPORAL JUSTIN GAERTNER, 1ST 
          COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION, THE UNITED STATES MARINES

     Shades . . .
     Shades of Green . . .
     On battlefields of honor bright . . .
     There are but all of those who but bring their most 
           magnificent light . . .
     As Brilliant, as brilliant . . . as any seen in this sight!
     All in their Magnificent Shades of Green!
     For these are but, The United States Marines!
     Such men of might, who over evil do all in the darkest 
           fights!
     Rushing into the face of death, as they are seen!
     Oh yes, to be a United States Marine!
     To but wear so proudly, those most Magnificent Shades of 
           Green!
     As it was in battle . . . All in that fight . . .
     When a Combat Engineer, with nerves of steel . . . Named 
           Justin so appeared . . .
     The kind of men who have no fear!
     As Justin, walked through the Valley of Death . . . out on 
           attack . . .
     When, an IED . . . Almost took his life . . .
     While, all in that moment of death or light . . . his fine 
           heart grew even greater in sight!
     And on that next day as he awoke . . . as his heart to him so 
           spoke . . .
     So spoke to him, as tears rolled down his face . . .
     As he so realized, the full nature of what had took place . . 
           .
     But, this Strong Son of the South . . . would not so give up 
           now . . .
     Wiping the tears from his face, shining even brighter on that 
           day!
     All in those Shades of Green . . . as his new battle was 
           under way!
     As they took his legs, and most of his arm . . . but not take 
           his heart that day!
     As something so told him deep inside, get up and start 
           running now . . .
     As with his great heart, his first new steps he found!
     To fine the faith and courage to so move onward now!
     Because Marines Do! And Marines Win!
     And failure was not an option, to any of them!
     As one of Florida's brightest sons,
     He said to himself, I will stand and I will run!
     Pity get out of the way, I've got miles to go before I'm 
           done!
     Justin time, as his brave heart so began to run!
     Taking him to even greater places and heights where mere men 
           have never gone!
     Because Marines climb mountains
     Marines climb walls . . .
     Marines always stand tall!
     As there you go Justin, running to recovery!
     Oh what a discovery, an even brighter Shade of Green!
     As Justin You Will Teach Us . . .
     As Justin, You Will So Beseech Us . . .
     As it's so deep down in our hearts Justin, that you will 
           reach us!
     All in what your life means!
     And if I had a son, I wish he could so shine half as bright 
           as this one!
     All in his most magnificent Shades of Green!
     As one day too Justin, up in heaven you will be seen!
     As an Angel, all because of how you so wore and so carried 
           yourself . . .
      All in those most magnificent Shades of Green!
     Ooo . . . Rah!

                          ____________________