[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21736]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO U.S. MILITARY SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrifices 
of our young men and women who are serving in the U.S. military around 
the world. A dear lady from my district, Mrs. Linda Smith, has two sons 
serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq. During Sunday school at 
Vineville Baptist Church a few weeks ago, she made a presentation to 
the class that I think summarizes the courage and bravery of our 
soldiers around the world. I wish to insert her comments into the 
Record, so that people across the country can be aware of the great 
work, not only of our men and women, but also of their families back 
home.

       When Mrs. Ann asked me to speak to the class today, I told 
     her that I may cry. I hope I don't, but if I do, I hope you 
     will understand.
       I want people to understand why our country is at war and 
     why not only my sons, but others are willing to go and fight.
       When people hear that I have two Marine sons being deployed 
     to the same place in Iraq, they often comment that they 
     didn't think the government could do that. I tell them that 
     my oldest son was a drill instructor at Parris Island. When 
     his term was up, he re-enlisted for a second time and asked 
     to be in the same unit with his little brother. I am not the 
     only Marine mom who has more than one son going to war. There 
     are many of us.
       Another comment that I often hear is that people don't 
     think the government should deploy servicemen more than once. 
     I say to them, ``This is their job.'' That is like saying to 
     a fireman you have already put out one fire, . . . therefore 
     you shouldn't have to go to another fire and put yourself in 
     danger.
       My sons and all of the other servicemen and women want 
     America to stand behind them in this war. None of them enjoy 
     leaving their wives and children, their moms and dads, or 
     friends. Believe me, it is very hard. But they know that they 
     must go. Islamic extremists are dangerous, and they must be 
     dealt with now. Militant Islam is just as much of a danger to 
     our country and the world as other radical fascist 
     governments in the past have been . . . such as Hitler's 
     Germany, Russia's Stalin, or Lenin or Karl Marx. Militant 
     Islam no more cares about their religion but only wants total 
     control. Traditional Islam seeks to teach people to live 
     according to God's will. Militant Islam aspires to create a 
     new order, even if it means rewriting Islamic law to fit 
     their desires. They have tortured and killed many of their 
     own people to gain control. This is evil and evil can only be 
     dealt with by force.
       So where does this leave us as Christians? I have thought a 
     lot about that as I pray for my sons. I very seldom pray for 
     my sons without opening my Bible and reading as I pray. It is 
     very important that I not take my relationship with Jesus for 
     granted. I am grateful that both of my sons have a 
     relationship with him as well.
       I have learned to pray for our enemy. I pray that the Holy 
     Spirit will open their eyes to the truth. Unfortunately, I 
     fear that many of them are so far into their rebellion 
     against God that they have allowed their hearts to be 
     hardened and they may never come to repentance and salvation. 
     This breaks my heart, because I know that it breaks God's 
     heart. In Ezekiel, it says that God does not take pleasure in 
     the death of the wicked.
       I pray for my nation. I love her and her people. I pray for 
     a revival and that those of us who claim the name of Jesus 
     would truly come back to our first love and burn with a 
     desire to serve God.
       I pray for Israel, God's precious people. I pray not only 
     for my sons but for all of the troops. My oldest son, 
     Clayton, is a platoon Sgt. He called home one night a few 
     weeks before they left for Iraq. Sensing something was wrong, 
     I asked him what was wrong. My big, burly, tough son broke 
     down and cried, ``I just want my men to come home. They are 
     so young. I have trained them the best I can. I just want 
     them to come home.'' My son is 26.
       My youngest son, Mark, is 20. He wants to marry his 
     childhood friend that he grew up with at church. One night 
     when he was home for a weekend, we heard him crying in his 
     bedroom. My heart breaks and I cry out to God.
       I never forget to pray for our President. It angers me when 
     people complain and slander him. He makes mistakes but 
     supporting him with our prayers is what he needs, not 
     murmuring against him.
       So if you ask me how you can help or support our troops, I 
     would say first, to give thanks to God and praise him. Love 
     him with all of your heart. Thank him for what you have. 
     Thank him for the sweet young men and women he has called to 
     defend our nation and fight for what is right. Ask God to 
     reveal himself to our troops . . . that his glory would 
     shine. That many would see his glory . . . our enemies as 
     well as our troops. That they would worship him. It is then 
     that we will have peace and our boys can come home.

  Mr. Speaker, there is nothing I can add. May God bless the brave men 
and women fighting around the world for our freedom, and their families 
at home. And may God continue to bless America.

                          ____________________