[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   I'M STANDING IN HONOR OF AN AMERICAN HERO, SGT JOSHUA WETZEL, 2ND 
              INFANTRY EARTH PIGS, THE UNITED STATES ARMY

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                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of one of Alabama's 
most heroic sons, Joshua Wetzel of The United States Army. While out on 
patrol on May 31, 2012 Joshua was almost killed in an IED explosion in 
Kandahar Afghanistan. While he lost his legs and suffered numerous 
other injuries, he never lost his faith. As he said to me the first 
time I met him in a hospital bed at Walter Reed, I'm still standing! 
And that pretty much sums up this man's will to live and can do spirit. 
He makes all of America proud and his town of Glencoe. With the help of 
his family and wonderful wife Paige, he has already made such great 
strides in such a short time and it's going to be hard to catch up to 
him. I ask that this poem penned in his honor by Albert Caswell be 
placed in the Record.

                           I'm Still Standing

     I'm . . .
     I'm still standing . . .
     Here on this very day . . .
     You may take my two strong legs,
     but my heart you can not so sway!
     I'm still standing!
     Look at me out on my way!
     For I've got mountains to so climb,
     and so many hearts to so inspire,
     and such hope to so convey all in my time along the way!
     Yea, I'm still standing,
     as I fight this new fight each and every day!
     All at speed,
     as my heart so gives me all that I so need . . .
     so you better get out of my way!
     You see,
     War Eagles do not so hesitate!
     For I am Army Strong,
     as my heart beats loud and long . . .
     to fight for freedom night and day!
     2nd Infantry, EARTH PIGS who fight and lead!
     And The University of Auburn,
     is all part of my very DNA!
     Because, sweet Alabama was where I was born and raised!
     And all of my children are going to graduate from there one 
           day!
     For I am a grunt!
     Ever on the hunt!
     To evil to so confront!
     As I was on that fateful day!
     As when my short life almost went away!
     Without legs, and halfway to death as there I lay!
     As I had a choice,
     as when inside of me I so heard a voice,
     telling me to stay!
     And I got up and run for the first time in my life without 
           legs!
     With the tears running down my eyes,
     I began to pray!
     As along side of me my Lord God ran with me that day!
     Helping me chase all of that heartache and doubt away!
     As now I must rebuild!
     As so inside of me my hearts instills!
     The courage and the strength to so will!
     Because, I'm Standing Still!
     Heartache and pity get out of my way!
     Don't cry for me,
     but for all of my Brothers in Arms who now lie in such soft 
           quiet graves!
     And I'm going back home to sweet Alabama,
     running one day!
     And to this our world,
     my life still has so much more to say!
     And I've got a wonderful wife,
     who is the light of my life who has shown me that true love 
           really stays!
     And this War Eagle,
     stands so regal with his courage he displays!
     As I'm still standing even taller on this day!

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