[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E390-E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF LANCE CORPORAL JONATHAN LEE BEDWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID P. ROE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2012

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of 
Tennessee's heroic Marines, 22-year-old Lance Corporal Jonathan Lee 
Bedwell of Morristown.
  Lance Corporal Bedwell was nearly killed in an IED explosion while on 
patrol in Afghanistan, protecting a position on a mission that he 
volunteered for. After losing his leg and sustaining multiple other 
injuries in the explosion, he is well on his way to a full and healthy 
recovery. It is because of the heroic actions such as this one that our 
brave service members make every day that we are able to enjoy the 
freedoms this great nation has to offer.
  I salute Lance Corporal Bedwell as he not only exemplifies the best 
of America, but also the best of the United States Marine Corps. For 
this reason I ask you to join me in commemorating the valor of this 
extraordinary Marine. Also, I ask that a poem by Albert Caswell, 
written in honor of Lance Corporal Bedwell, be entered into the Record.

                            Because of These

     Because of these . . .
     Because of all of these this night . . .
     Our nation's future looks very bright!
     And as you lay your head down to sleep, all in your prayers 
           so to keep . . .
     All in this golden peace, all because of their heroism that 
           which does so speak . . .
     All in your hearts of love so very deep, but remember . . . 
           remember all of these . . .
     Magnificent men, who all in such shades of green who carry on 
           that fight . . .
     Southern Sons, who so defend . . . and live and die, all in 
           honor's light!
     Men of honor, and such faith . . .
     Whose most magnificent hearts shall never so wave!
     And oh what a most brilliant sight they so cast!
     The United States Marines,
     One of the greatest things in our nation that which has come 
           to pass!
     And your support is all they ask!
     So sleep well this very night, while far across our shores 
           such fine men of might . . .
     All for us carry on that fight!
     Men like Jonathan, who so live and die . . .
     And so give up their strong arms and legs, and yet do not ask 
           why!
     Men who so rest in peace this very night,
     All in such soft quiet cold graves this sad sight!

[[Page E391]]

     While, all across our nation their mother's cry!
     For they have lost their greatest of all loves,
     Their most blessed of all sons for us who have so died . . .
     As some have lost their strong legs, arms and even eyes . . .
     While awake in the middle of the night, as PTSD rules their 
           lives . . .
     Sleep well this night . . .
     Upon the Bed of Freedom that they so provide!
     And as you lay yourself so down to sleep . . .
     All because of our brave sons from Tennessee, ones like 
           Jonathan . . .
     Who his fine promises did so keep!
     Whose fine blood has so run red,
     All for us so very deep!
     This Volunteer, from this great state . . .
     Jonathan whose courage so makes us weep!
     As even the angel's too so cry . . .
     All at selfless sacrifice,
     All for God and Country as he did not so ask why!
     As it was on that day, out on his patrol . . .
     When his fine life almost went away . . .
     When, an IED . . . went off putting him so close to the grave 
           . . .
     With his leg lost and dying, as death just minutes away so 
           lying . . .
     As when he so made a choice, listening to his most inner 
           voice . . .
     As when Jonathan woke up on that next day . . .
     Telling him go forth marine,
     For you have mountains to so climb all out upon your way!
     As when his new battle would begin,
     As his fine heart would so command him to win!
     Command him, to a recovery . . .
     Step by step, day by day . . .
     As this United States Marine how so makes his way . . .
     As this Tennessee Titan,
     So teaches us all in his actions upon each new day . . .
     As he so beseeches, so deep down as he so reaches us . . .
     All in what his fine heart so to convey!
     As if I ever had a son, I wish he could have the heart half 
           as this one . . .
     As I watch in awe, all in what I saw . . . as this marine 
           gets up and so runs!
     For heaven so holds a place,
     All for such men or honor and of such grace . . .
     As Thy will be done . . .
     Sleep well this night,
     All in your hearts ever so hold these heroes and their 
           families so tight . . .
     These fine women and men,
     Who but country tis of thee do so defend!
     United States Marines, like Jonathan who so gallantly fight 
           that fight!
     That kind of man,
     That Andrew Jackson would love and so understand,
     And hold up to such great heights!
     So as you lay your heads down to rest,
     Remember all of these, our very best . . . and sleep well 
           this night!
     All because of these . . .

                          ____________________