[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNIITON OF LANCE CORPORAL MARK FIDLER AND FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM HOLDEN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2012

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a real American hero, 
United States Marine Mark Fidler, who hails from my congressional 
district in Berks County, Pennsylvania. On October 3, 2011, while on 
foot patrol in Afghanistan, an IED exploded next to Lance Corporal 
Fidler, nearly killing him. He lost both legs above the knee and 
suffered extensive internal injuries. He survived, largely due to his 
brothers in arms and a British air unit that got him to the Bastion 
mash unit in record time. His parents, Stacy and Kermit Fidler, have 
put their lives on hold to be by his side night and day. Families are 
the quiet heroes who make such a huge difference in the recoveries of 
our soldiers. I ask that this poem, written by Albert Caswell in honor 
of those loving parents, be placed in the Congressional Record.

                          Written on Your Soul

     All that we so have . . .
     All that we so hold . . .
     All that we so are . . .
     Of which so means the most . . .
     Is but so written, all on our souls . . .
     As is yours Mark, something special to behold!
     But, so lies something far much more precious than mere gold 
           . . .
     As is so etched upon your heart be told . . .
     As lies something far much more greater than you could ever 
           know . . .
     Setting you apart from all the rest, all in what your fine 
           heart so holds . . .
     'Oh, but To Be One of America's Finest . . . but, Her Very 
           Best!
     A Uh . . . Raaaa Jar Head . . . As a United States Marine, no 
           less . . .
     As is so written upon your soul, as was etched . . .
     To go off to war, to our nation's freedom's to insure . . .
     And to so face death no less!
     How can one ask for more?
     As our nation Mark, you and your family have so blessed!
     Than, to lose half of you . . . your best . . .
     And yet somehow you would so cheat death . . .
     No, you are not half the man you used to be,
     for you sum has grown far much greater . . . see!
     As when courage comes to crest, to so teach us all the more!
     To so reach deep down inside your heart of courage . . . 
           Amor!
     As my son Mark, our world you have so blessed!
     As you've come back from such heartache, and such sure death!
     Is that not what heaven is so for?
     As somehow, your fine soul will not give up or in . . .
     All in its most courageous quest,
     as we so see where its take you, from where you have been!
     To but rebuild again, when This Pride of Pennsylvania . . .
     Had almost nothing left . . .
     As Mark, you bring The Angels up in heaven to tears at your 
           behest!
     And all in our Lord's heart Mark, you are now so caressed!
     And if ever I have a son,
     I wish he could be like you this one . . .
     All because of what is now so etched upon your soul!
     As your great faith and courage and strength, is but 
           something to behold!
     As now so etched!
     For Heaven so awaits all of those who give their very best!
     Who so freely are so ready to give up their fine lives, all 
           in freedom's quest!
     Who all upon their souls such magnificence is so etched!
     So etched with such Strength In Honor, and Faith so no less . 
           . .
     All in your shades of green, Mark you are one hell of a 
           United States Marine!
     Who our nation has so blessed!
     Yes, arms and legs we all need . . . But we can get by . . .
     But, without a heart and soul like yours Mark, we will surely 
           die . . .
     And Mark its up In Heaven, where you need not even eyes . . .
     And that's where your going one day Mark, when you rise!
     With but tears in your eyes . . .
     And in the coming years, it all seems so very clear . . .
     That, you have so much more to etch . . . All with you fine 
           heart as left!
     Moments, are all that we so have!
     Minutes, only to hearts so grab!
     To this our world to so bless!
     As all written upon our souls as etched!
     What, have we so written . . . As we grow old?
     What, have we done that which is so worthy to behold?
     What, have we so given . . . That which is far much more 
           precious than mere gold?
     That now so lies, all etched upon our souls!
     As have you Mark, so bestowed!
     UH . . . RRRRAH, Jar Head . . .
     All in what your fine life has said, and so continues to so 
           grow!
     All so written, so on your soul!

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