[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26596]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO THE U.S.S. ``COLE''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 11, 2000

  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, as we reflect on the tragic attack on the 
U.S.S. Cole and those brave American service members who lost their 
lives while serving their country and protecting the freedoms we 
Americans all enjoy, I submit for the Record a poem written by one of 
my constituents, Kathy K. Mecklenburg of Rockford, IL. Kathy's simple 
poem captures the heartfelt sentiments of all Americans regarding the 
tragedy and heroism surrounding this event. It is my privilege to place 
it in the Congressional Record.

                            The Cole Tribute

     This lone destroyer held no fame--
       Now, history will enroll,
     And fate forever changed the lives
       Aboard the U.S.S. Cole.

     To Aden she sailed into port
       For loading vital petrol;
     But, terrorists had other plans
       To harm the U.S.S. Cole.

     She peacefully sat docked and still
       Before the dreadful, loud toll,
     Which blew a forty-foot long hole
       Inside the U.S.S. Cole.

     No time for general quarters sound--
       The blind attack was brute cold,
     Our sailors had no time to fight
       To save the U.S.S. Cole.

     The terrorists had rammed her side
       And precious cargo they stole,
     For seventeen would lose their lives
       Aboard the U.S.S. Cole.

     And, now we grieve and wonder still
       For kindred, sacrificed souls,
     Whose lives served freedom's cause for all
       Those on the U.S.S. Cole.

     Now, God, please hear our simple prayer
       And draw these souls to Thy fold,
     As we salute these sailors brave
       Who served the U.S.S. Cole.

     --Kathy K. Mecklenburg, Rockford, Illinois, October 2000.

     

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