[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING ARMY SPECIALIST CHRISTOPHER KURTZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE STIVERS

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero, 
Army Specialist Christopher Kurtz of the 1st Platoon, Apache Troop, 1st 
Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st 
Airborne Division. This month marks the one year anniversary of an IED 
blast that nearly took his life and left him without his legs and took 
from him part of his hand.
  As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Ohio Army National Guard, I have had 
the honor and privilege of witnessing firsthand the heroism, 
selflessness, and dedication of those who serve in our military. We 
enjoy unparalleled freedom and opportunity in this country, because 
brave Americans like Christopher Kurtz have dedicated their entire 
lives to building and preserving the United States as the greatest 
nation on earth. I truly am grateful for this opportunity to pay 
tribute to Christopher Kurtz.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that this poem penned in his honor by Albert 
Caswell be placed in the Congressional Record.

     In. . . .
     All In That Fight!
     Are but all of those courageous brave hearts, who must bring 
           their light!
     Whose most magnificent hearts, must somehow reach upward but 
           to the greatest heights!
     Who are all Airborne, with but their fine hearts so worn . . 
           .
     Who so courageously must ignite!
     While, moving all out there into that darkness of war. . . .
     Armed, but only with their most courageous of all lights to 
           victory to insure!
     To So Find That Courage . . . To So Find That Faith. . . .
     All in how their fine hearts have so behaved. . . .
     All with such Strength In Honor, so all in place. . . .
     To so win that battle, to so win that fight!
     As from out of such darkness, they so bring their light!
     While, one and all are so willing to face!
     That Face of Death!
     And not so ask why, while there all of their fine hearts so 
           crest!
     Armed but with only your saw gun in hand, as Chris you so 
           heroically went out ahead. . . .
     As was heard your most courageous battle cry, all in your 
           stead!
     As from out of such darkness as said!
     As from out of all of your heartache, as your great heart so 
           led. . . .
     With such courage and faith, all in this your most amazing 
           grace. . . .
     Excepting this fight!
     Because, from hearts of courage full like yours,
     America's Sons over darkness have so shown their might!
     Because with only such fine men as you Christopher, will we 
           so win that fight!
     As on that day, when you so walked through that valley death. 
           . . .
     Armed with but only your courage as so left, as with your 
           Brothers In Arms as you had all so pledged!
     When, a bomb almost left you for dead!
     While, lying there all between life and death!
     As you had so died several times, as when you said the Lord 
           came to you and so said!
     So said, ``don't give up, I have more work for you to do!''
     As from that moment on, you began your new fight as onward 
           you so moved!
     So on that next morning as you so awoke, so close to death. . 
           . .
     As in that moment, your fine heart so spoke. . . .
     So spoke to you about all what you had so left!
     As into the future, with all of your courage our nation would 
           so bless!
     As you had lost your two strong legs, and part of your hand. 
           . . .
     But, somehow your great heart still found the strength to 
           stand!
     As we so watched you Chris, so watched you grow. . . .
     As you so came back from the dead, and all of that pain and 
           woe!
     As what a fine work of art, your life to our world would 
           show!
     To So Teach Us All! To So Beseech Us All!
     As it was you who so led!
     To take us to higher places, with tears upon our faces. . . . 
           with but your heart so pledged!
     To places where only hearts of courage, have so sped!
     For you will walk again my son, and you will so run!
     As you rebuild your life, America's most brilliant of all 
           sons!
     For from what you've lost. . . . far much more you've gained!
     But, with your iron will, the price you paid. . . .
     With your beautiful children and wonderful wife!
     Oh yes you are now so winning that fight!
     For heroes like you are put upon this earth, to so teach us 
           all what so comes first!
     And if ever I have a son, I wish he could but be as brilliant 
           as you this one!
     Who All In The Fight, so did what must be done!
     And led with his heart of honor, upon battlefields so on!
     And came back home, through all of this pain and heartache. . 
           . . as Thy Will Be Done!
     Who has taught us even greater things, showing us all to what 
           new heights hearts can run!
     And one day for all of your sacrifice, you will shine. . . . 
           all up in Heaven's sun!
     For up in Heaven, you need not arms or legs!
     And that's where Christopher you are going one day!
     All for what you gave! And what you've done!
     But your life here on earth, is not finished!
     Is not so done, because our Lord has more work for you my 
           son!
     All In That Fight!

                          ____________________