[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24048-24049]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF THE CORPORAL KODY WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NANCY E. BOYDA

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize CPL 
Kody Wilson of Erie, Kansas. Corporal Wilson was serving in our armed 
forces in our efforts abroad and was injured. Upon his injuries he was 
taken to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
  While at Walter Reed, Corporal Wilson was an inspiration to others. 
One individual was truly moved by his story and wrote a poem to honor 
this soldier. I would like to share this poem with you:

                          From Out of the West

                           (By Bert Caswell)

     From Out of The West . . .

     As over the years, as have come from so here . . . all of our 
           best . . .
     Fine Women and Men, of honor so then .  .  . sons and 
           daughters who our nation have blessed . . .

     As over the years . . .
     Have been shed many a tear, for all those lost and injured 
           loved ones . . . so very dear . . .
     Who are but all our finest daughters and sons, who so bring 
           us to tears . . .

     Who but live by a code . . .
     Who but carry that burden, who but teach us all so . . . as 
           they carry that load . . .
     As now once again, such a very fine man . . . by the name of 
           Kody, so shows us the way . . .

     What the word hero so means!
     Like Bob Dole of Kansas, they are both one and the same . . .
     Who from this great heartland the word hero can claim!

     Without his one leg . . .
     He lives by a code of honor and faith so strode . . . that 
           would make any heart beg . . .
     For there in his darkest of pain, in what God has so left to 
           him . . . so remains . . . the greatest I say . . .

     As we so watch him and learn . . .
     As Kody so teaches us all to discern . . . how a heart full 
           of courage can burn . . .

[[Page 24049]]

     As the leg he has lost, but like all our great heroes of the 
           past he accepts that great cost . . . in turn . . .

     You see, he's got a life to live . . .
     And so much more to this our world to so give . . .
     To teach us, to reach us . . . as we so watch in wonder, as 
           his most magnificent heart gives . . .

     For on this day . . . we must understand . . .
     This Army Man, so shows us the way . . . as taller than most 
           he now so stands . . .
     And if I have a son, I pray he'd be like this one . . . who 
           runs with his heart all the way to Heaven's sun . . .

     From Out of The West . . .
     Once, again . . . as here has so come one of our Nation's 
           best . . .
     Who our hearts will so bless, who leave us breathless . . .

     In Honor of Kody Wilson

  Madam Speaker, I proudly ask that you join me in honoring CPL Kody 
Wilson, and recognize his courage, commitment and patriotism to serving 
the United States and the people of Kansas. I truly wish all the best 
for him in his future endeavors and will remain grateful for his 
service to our country.

                          ____________________