[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING U.S. ARMY CORPORAL PHILLIP C. EDMUNDSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2005

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember U.S. Army CPL 
Phillip Charles Edmundson, of my hometown of Wilson, NC, for serving 
our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal Edmundson made the 
ultimate sacrifice for our country when he died on June 1, 2005 when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle 
during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th 
Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. He was just 
22 years old.
  Corporal Edmundson was the first person from my community to die in 
combat since Vietnam. While we are saddened at this great loss, we are 
so honored to claim Corporal Edmundson as the product of our community.
  Corporal Edmundson had re-enlisted while in Iraq and was scheduled to 
be promoted to sergeant. During his funeral service, Corporal Edmundson 
was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously for his bravery 
and dedicated service.
  It was my honor to represent U.S. Army CPL Phillip Charles Edmundson 
and to have a friendship with his parents, Robert Edmundson and Anne 
Edmundson. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He 
will be deeply missed and his service was greatly appreciated.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record a poem by CPL 
Phillip Charles Edmundson.

                        A Soldier's Reflections

     I was that which others did not want to be.
     I went where others feared to go
     and did what others failed to do.
     I asked nothing from those who gave nothing
     and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness . 
           . .
     Should I fail, I have seen the face of terror;
     Felt the stinging cold of fear;
     and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.
     I have cried, pained, and hoped . . .
     but most of all, I have lived times others would say
     were best forgotten. At least someday
     I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was . . .
     ``A Soldier''.
       --CPL Phillip Charles Edmundson

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