[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18973]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           LIAM SWAN'S ``ODE TO THE FALLEN SOLDIERS OF IRAQ''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2007

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to honor Liam Swan, a constituent of mine who is currently a 
student at Oliver Pierce Middle School in Ramona, CA. One of our local 
hometown papers in San Diego County, the Ramona Home Journal, recently 
printed a poem written by Liam that memorializes and pays tribute to 
the servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice fighting 
to preserve freedom in Iraq. His poem, titled ``Ode to the Fallen 
Soldiers of Iraq,'' follows:

     To all you brave soldiers who have fallen in Iraq,
     Who left the comforting embrace of
     Family, friends, and home
     To fight and protect the freedom of others
     In a faraway dry, dusty and desolate land,
     We Americans honor and salute you.

     Like dry leaves we must crumble and toss
     Our differences aside.
     Where you are
     Hawk or Dove,
     Democrat or Republican,
     Liberal or Conservative,
     We must first be Americans
     Who honor the fallen heroes that fought for us.

     For you bravely laid down your lives,
     Spilling your blood and dreams
     In a foreign land,
     For a foreign people
     For an American Cause,
     Know that you will be greatly missed,
     Know that you will always be remembered
     For your sacrifice,
     For your courage and convictions.
     Your bright and promising light
     Extinguished too soon,
     We celebrate and honor your memory
     You fallen soldiers of Iraq.

  As ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, I share 
Liam's strong support, appreciation and respect for our servicemen and 
women. I am particularly pleased each time I learn about Americans, 
like Liam, who are willing to use their creative talents to ensure the 
memory of those who have voluntarily left the comfort of their homes to 
defend and protect the interests of the American people, are never 
forgotten.
  Madam Speaker, Liam's words reflect our Nation's overwhelming 
gratitude to the millions of uniformed military men and women that have 
answered the call to duty with unquestioned courage and commitment. I 
wish Liam continued success in his academic efforts and it is with 
absolute pride that I rise today to share his inspiring and patriotic 
tribute with my colleagues.

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