[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10448-10449]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       POEM FOR A SOLDIER'S WIFE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LINCOLN DAVIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2004

  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I am going to read a poem 
written in honor of the wives of soldiers, specifically for Betty 
Calabrese whose husband, Master Sergeant Robert Calabrese, just 
returned from a tour in Iraq. The poem was written by Lt. Commander Don 
Flanagan, U.S. Navy, Retired.

                           One Soldier's Wife

     If she could take the time today to sit and stare
     She would find her emotions ranging from hope to despair
     So long ago her life was filled with daily chores
     With joys and sorrows in and out like revolving doors.
     In the early years of serving his country she was so proud
     And anyone can tell you she certainly said so out loud
     As a member of the National Guard he was called up each year
     When he went to Vietnam and Kosovo she was filled with fear.
     Fast forward to that terrible day in September 2001
     She knew the dangers to him would increase one by one.
     The talk of terrorists became much more intense
     Until President Bush said that we would help the people of 
           Iraq in their defense.
     Too soon the day came for him to go
     And as a soldier's wife she knew the dangers would grow.
     The military promise of a limited tour did not come true.
     Time passed with no firm planning to do.

[[Page 10449]]

     In mortal combat he has comrades to stand by his side
     But who really there for his worried and burdened bride?
     Although family and friends say that they understand
     They do not know unless a spouse had to fight for this land.
     What does the war mean to you and me?
     Only a distraction or an interruption of a program on TV.
     Yet to her it is crying, despair, not knowing of a dead 
           soldier and who it might be.
     In spite of all she rallied her church members to pray for 
           all to return safely.
     Is there anything we can say or do but
     Just realize how simple the challenges we go through.
     Let us now allow her an extra fault or two
     And most of all pray God to help her in all she must face and 
           do.

                          ____________________