[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1439-E1440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO CPL MARCUS W. DANDREA, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Florida's 
brightest sons, Corporal Marcus W. Dandrea, United States Marine Corps, 
from Jacksonville. On February 24th of this year, CPL Dandrea, a member 
of Charlie Company, stepped on a pressure plate while patrolling a 
mountain top in Sangin, Helmond Province. His recovery has been fast 
and furious, as he is already moving to start the next phase of his 
already inspiring life. However, his U.S. Marine Corps active duty 
service will continue through his wife, Lance Corporal Victoria 
Dandrea. They have three children, Naomi, DJ, and Micah. I ask that 
this poem, penned in their honor by Albert Caswell, be placed in the 
Record.

                                 Intel

     Intel . . .
     In every battle . . .
     And in every fight . . .
     And in every war,
     there is but such need to so bring such insight!
     Intel . . . Intelligence,
     is what a war's life blood so ignites . . .
     leading us all to victory by shedding such light!
     To illuminate the darkness of war,
     to burn bright!
     For there are but only a few who so gather such insights . . 
           .
     For there are The Ph.D's of the battlefield who fight . . .
     The men who are but armed with mind of might,
     and with heart's of steel in sight!
     Top Secret!
     The United States Marine!
     One of our brightest of all shades of green!
     Jar Heads,
     who with such Intelligence so fight . . . and so convene!
     Where Technology So Meets Might!
     Saving lives,
     but with all of the knowledge that they so provide . . .
     As from all of this,
     such battle plans are so devised!
     As many times,
     making the difference between death and life!
     Darkness or Light!
     So that out across a Nation,
     a mother will not have to so cry this night!
     As warriors drop in from no where,
     from out of sight!
     For they are both beauty and the beast,
     all at their height!
     Fighting with their brains and bodies,
     oh what an awesome sight!
     Putting, The Stealth in Technology!
     As how wars are won,
     all in the cover of day and or night . . .
     As when it all so depends on who lives or dies
     As is the high cost so compromised!
     As that's where you will find,
     all of their most magnificent of all silent battle cries!
     As it was out on such a secret mission,
     when this young Marine's life would almost not reach its 
           fruition!
     As an IED went off,
     as so close to death he'd lie!
     As right there but on its very edge,
     as when Marcus so reached so deep down with something so left 
           inside!

[[Page E1440]]

     To so cheat death!
     As from somewhere so deep . . . so deep . . . so deep . . . 
           down inside . . .
     From this Marine's heart, but came his battle cry!
     To somehow stay alive . . .
     And from that moment on, he was gone!
     Moving up and moving on!
     As this Marine got up and ran towards recovery . . .
     For he had a life to live,
     and to this our world so much more to give . . .
     Oooh . . . Rahhhh! Jar Head!
     For, it's far better to die for something . . .
     than to live for nothing at all!
     And that's why you joined the Core
     And your fine heart so answered that most noble call!
     For some people are but put upon this earth,
     To So Teach Us! To So Reach Us! And So Beseech Us,
     with all of their fine worth!
     As this fine son from Jacksonville,
     gives us all of us such a thrill . . .
     As you has so shone us what so comes first!
     For this United States Marine,
     is one of the greatest things our nations has ever seen!
     The only secret he could not so keep!
     Is what so runs in your most magnificent heart so very deep!
     That which so out shines them all!
     For Marcus, you won't cry and he won't crawl!
     As he you can climb any mountain, of them all!
     And if I ever had a son, I'd wish he'd have a heart half as 
           tall!
     Surely, Marcus you are but one of Florida's Most Brightest of 
           All Son's!
     Because, up in heaven you need not arms nor even legs to run 
           . . .
     And that's were you are going Marcus, one day my son!
     For you have so made our Lord so proud,
     with all of your inspiration and faith bestowed upon us all 
           now!
     Maximus . . . Marcus . . . you've put the I in Intel this 
           day!
     But, there are No Secrets . . .
     all in what you magnificent heart so says!
     For you are one of our Nation's, America's Best!
     Ooo . . . Rah Jar Head

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