[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16301]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  DEATH OF THE CHARLESTON FIREFIGHTERS

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, my heart goes out this morning to the 
families of the nine fallen firefighters in Charleston, to my 
colleagues Senators Graham and DeMint, and to the people of Charleston. 
These fallen heroes made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their fellow 
citizens. Today we remember them and all firefighters and their 
families for whom courageous service is a part of their everyday lives.
  My home State of Massachusetts endured a similar disaster several 
years ago when six firefighters died in Worcester, MA. I read a poem at 
the funeral of those fallen heroes, and I would like to read it again 
now. I hope it brings some small measure of comfort to those whose 
hearts are aching today for their brave husbands, fathers, brothers, 
and friends who perished so tragically.
  The poem is called ``May They Not Be Forgotten.''

     Brother when you weep for me,
     Remember that it was meant to be.
     Lay me down and when you leave,
     Remember I'll be at your sleeve.
     In every dark and choking hall,
     I'll be there as you slowly crawl.
     On every roof in driving snow,
     I'll hold your coat and you will know.
     In cellars hot with searing heat,
     At windows where a gate you meet,
     In closets where young children hide,
     You know I'll be there at your side.
     The house from which I now respond
     Is overstaffed with heroes gone.
     Men who answered one last bell
     Did the job and did it well.
     As firemen, we understand
     That death's a card dealt in our hand,
     A card we hope we never play,
     But one we hold there anyway.
     That card is something we ignore,
     As we crawl across a weakened floor.
     For we know that we're the only prayer
     For anyone that might be there.
     So remember, as you wipe your tears,
     The joy I knew throughout the years
     As I did the job I loved to do.
     I pray that thought will see you through.

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