[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2038-E2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF CHAPLAIN DALE GOETZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2011

  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a fallen 
American hero--Army Chaplain Dale Allen Goetz. Goetz is the first Army 
clergyman killed in action since the Vietnam War. Goetz was killed a 
year ago while serving his country in Afghanistan.
  On August 30, 2010, Goetz was riding with a resupply convoy when the 
enemy attacked with an improvised explosive device near the Arghandab 
River Valley.
  Four of his fellow soldiers from Fort Carson died with him in that 
attack.
  Army Chaplains are considered noncombatants and do not carry weapons. 
Chaplains do not go on combat patrol, but do go onto battlefields to 
conduct services and counsel soldiers.
  Goetz was serving with the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st 
Brigade Combat Team with the 4th Infantry Division of Fort Carson, 
Colorado.
  Goetz grew up in Hood River, Oregon. His first job after high school 
was working at an old-fashioned dairy where he processed milk and sold 
ice cream cones at a drive-up window. A year before graduating from 
high school, Goetz became a Christian. After graduating, he joined the 
Air Force then attended Maranatha Baptist Bible College. He later 
earned his Master of Divinity at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. 
Goetz moved to White, South Dakota where he was pastor before joining 
the Army to serve our soldiers.
  Goetz served his country for nearly 11 years before he was killed. It 
was his third deployment.
  Goetz, who was 43-years old, left behind his wife, Christy, and their 
three young boys. He is also survived by his mother, Hope, and his 
sisters, Kim Sumner and Ann Senetar.
  In paying tribute to Chaplain Goetz, I would like to enter into the 
Congressional Record a short poem written by a longtime Capitol Tour 
Guide Bert Caswell.

The Faith of His Father in Honor of a Fallen Hero Chaplain Captain Dale 
               Goetz the Lord and the United States Army

     Goodness!
     Evil!
     Darkness!
     Light!
     Those brave hearts who evil must fight!
     Who bring their light!
     All in the darkness of war. . . .
     Unarmed. . . .
     There are but all of those on battlefields of honor,
     Chaplains who so ensure. . . .
     The Faith of our Father. . . .
     Who but bring our Lord's light!
     The Faith of Our Father, to help souls to endure. . . .
     Armed, with but only Bible in hand. . . .
     As it was there midst of such evil, Dale, you were to so 
           stand!

[[Page E2039]]

     Bringing hope and so comfort, to woman and man. . . . .
     In the darkest of all places. . . .
     While, at death's door they'd so stand!
     Giving them the strength to so pray. . . .
     Offering your hand, while reaching out on each day. . . .
     As from out of that darkness, the light you so gave!
     Something, far much more precious than what of gold is so 
           made!
     To so find the right words, as you were so heard. . . .in the 
           sacred moments of death. . . .
     Giving such strength to all of their hearts to so bless. . . 
           .
     For War is Hell, and Hell is War!
     And for all your sons, all of the ones. . . . you cared for 
           so deep . . . .
     As upon each day, all in their beautiful faces. . . .to us 
           you will so speak!
     And to your fine wife, who has suffered the greatest lost of 
           her life. . . .
     We pray to our Lord to let her find peace!
     It's for you now, Dale, the Angels up in heaven now so weep!
     And to his family, somehow so find the strength. . . .
     All in what his fine life has meant!
     As now we they lay your fine body, Dale, down to sleep. . . .
     As into this soft cold dark quiet ground, Dale, so deep. . . 
           .
     As, it was you, Dale, our Lord's son. . . .
     Who to Him, your promises did so keep!
     As a new Angel up in Heaven, one day again you'll meet!
     To watch over us now as we so sleep!
     With The Faith of His Father So Very Deep!
     Amen!

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