[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17894]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT RAYMOND PLOUHAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2006

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of 
Sergeant Raymond Plouhar, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his 
Nation on June 26, 2006, while serving in Iraq. What follows is an 
inspirational poem Sergeant Plouhar wrote before he was killed in the 
line of duty.

                            This is who I am

     This is me, this is who I am
     I am a Marine to the very end
     I live by the motto that is Semperi Fi

     I come to countries in far off lands
     to fight for freedom for which most are to scared to stand

     Do not judge me for what I do
     for what I do I do for you

     I will kill for those who cannot kill
     I will die for those too scared to

     I will leave my loved ones, my kids, my wife
     I will leave them all behind to give you a better life

     I have seen and done things that will haunt my dreams
     I have given up many things for you to be free

     Do not feel pity for me, for this is my choice
     I chose this life so people like you can have a voice

     I will die on my feet, I will not live on my knees
     I will do this so America can stay free

     This is me, this is who I am
     I am a Marine to the very end.

                          ____________________