[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 162 (Monday, December 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1944-E1945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




``FOLLOW ME''--IN HONOR OF RET. SPC. JIM MAYER, THE UNITED STATES ARMY, 
   THE MILKSHAKE MAN, AND HIS AID AND COMFORT TO OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SUE WILKINS MYRICK

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2012

  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American, 
Ret. Spc. Jim Mayer and all of the thousands of Disabled American 
Veterans out across America who are making a difference in the lives of 
our newly returning wounded warriors. He is a former native of 
Missouri, who lost both of his legs when he stepped on a mine two 
months in his first tour in Vietnam. I submit this poem penned in his 
honor by Albert Caswell.

                               Follow Me

     Follow Me . . . 
     I'll walk with You . . . 
     Follow me in all I do . . . 
     For I was once just like you . . . 
     A young man, who went off to war . . . 
     All for my Country Tis Thee, with such burdens bore . . . 
     So strong and bold, and so self assured . . . 
     So dashing there, all in uniform . . . 
     Follow me, I'll lead the way . . . 
     to somehow help you move on this day . . . 
     As I bow down my head, and for you I now so pray . . . 
     For I was once like you, just moments away from my grave . . 
           . 
     As I too, remember that fateful morning as I awoke . . . 
     While, against all odds there seemed no hope!
     As I so too, had such tears in my eyes as invoked!
     And too so wondered, so wondered how I would cope!
     When, all that I had so left . . . was but only hope!
     Follow me, they call me The Milkshake Man!
     For I have walked that walk!
     And I know you can!
     All in your shoes, as I so too have had all of those same 
           such thoughts!
     As I so understand, how much you have to gain!
     And how much so too you have lost, all in your pain!
     So don't give up! And don't give in!
     Let go of such thoughts, my friend!
     Lift up your head, and raise that chin!
     Follow me, for this is how your first steps begin!
     So begins with you my friend . . . 
     For you will learn to walk again . . . 
     Or somehow replace your arms, your hands, your eyes my friend 
           . . . 
     All with that heart which beats with in!
     For you can live or you can die?
     Or you can so feel so very sorry for yourself, with tear in 
           eye . . . 
     Or with each new step, you can but let your fine soul rise!
     And oh yes, you will have many . . .  many . . .  dark days 
           ahead . . . 
     Follow Me, take my hand . . .  and listen to what my life has 
           said!
     Walk with me, listen to your heart instead!
     For your fine Life is worth living, and you're not dead!
     Live for all of your Brothers and Sisters, who so died for 
           you instead!
     For them, feel the breeze on your face . . . 
     And at night take them with you to bed!
     Follow me, there's so much more to be said!
     For my Son, my Daughter . . . I was once like you . . . 
     With all of that anger and hate inside of me, and such self 
           doubt too!
     For I know where your are going, and I know where you have 
           been!
     And oh yes, I know that its not fair . . . but these are 
           war's deadly sins!
     All in what it can so do, to such magnificent women and men . 
           . . 
     For I was once like you, right on that edge!
     All between life and death!
     Follow me, and I promise you . . . your fine life will be 
           blessed!
     As you Bless Our World, with all of your gifts . . . 
     As you so teach us all, that hope and faith are alive and 
           still exists!
     And that your fine life, is one that is so worth to living 
           this!
     For what you give, is what you get!
     For the best is still yet to come, as so is yet!
     Follow me, and yes it will be hard!
     For now it's time, to do your part!
     Lead my Son, lead my Daughter . . . lead but with your great 
           heart!

[[Page E1945]]

     Rise Up . . . Rise Up my Son . . . my Daughter,
     into now such a fine work of art!
     Follow me, and take my hand . . . 
     As all of your great pain, I do now so understand!
     For up in Heaven you need not arms or legs . . . nor eyes so 
           made!
     And that's where we will all so meet again, on one fine day . 
           . . 
     Listen to these words I say, and you will find your way!
     As over this hospital bed, I now so stand . . .
     With tear in eye . . . 
     Looking at you, finding it so hard not to cry . . . 
     As these words I will say, ``Follow Me . . . and Take My 
           Hand''!
     Walk with me, and one day because of your faith and courage 
           you will stand!
     And I will be the one, following you my friend!

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