[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14252-14253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING MR. CARL ``BRONKO'' STANKOVIC

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize 
Mr. Carl ``Bronko'' Stankovic, a proud World War II veteran, and the 
men of the Eighth Armored Division Association. Bronko is also a dear 
friend of mine.
  Bronko has recently brought to my attention an inspirational poem 
written by A. Lawerence Vaincourt, a newspaper columnist and Canadian 
World War II veteran himself, in 1987. This poem speaks powerfully 
about the aging of our heroes. The emotions it represents rings true 
with Bronko and many other veterans that this poem has touched in its 
years of existence.
  It is with great pride that I submit an excerpt of the poem, Just a 
Common Soldier, as a tribute to the memory of all our World War II 
veterans:

                         Just A Common Soldier


                         (A Soldier Died Today)

                       (By A. Lawrence Vaincourt)

     He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,

[[Page 14253]]

     And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
     Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had 
           done,
     In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every 
           one.

     And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a 
           joke,
     All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he 
           spoke.
     But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed 
           away,
     And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

     He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
     But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
     For when countries are in conflict, then we find the 
           soldier's part
     Is to clean up all the troubles that others often start.

     If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
     Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his 
           days.
     Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
     Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

  Mr. Speaker, I hope this poem inspires my distinguished colleagues as 
it has inspired me. The Greatest Generation has given so much to 
younger generations that I am happy to give something back by 
submitting this poem to the House of Representatives. I would ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring World War II veterans with a moment 
of silence.

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