[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5627]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING RYAN T. DION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2008

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay great 
honor to United States Marine Corps Cpl. Ryan T. Dion, a true American 
hero from Manchester, CT. On April 25, 2007, while serving in Unit 216 
Echo Company at Camp LeJeune in Fallujah, Iraq, Ryan was injured in an 
IED explosion. On December 11, he was awarded the Purple Heart, 
recognizing his great sacrifice for the defense of our country. The 
story of Ryan's bravery inspired the following poem, written by United 
States Capitol Guide, Albert Carey Caswell:

                               A Patriot

     A Patriot...
     A young man who goes off to war....
     But, for his country his burden bore!
     Lock and Load,
     A man who so lives by a code....
     Is that not but what heaven is for?
     A fine Marine!
     Who on battle fields of honor, with but his courage seen!
     When, heartache would so intervene!
     When, his new battle would begin
     To rebuild where none lies left, all in courage's quest... as 
           he so intervenes!
     Without a leg as seen, when so comes within his inter being.
     The Proof!
     The Truth! Of what his heart and soul has willed. The Truth!
     As all around him, he brings people to tears to so instill...
     As we watch him rebuild...and fight the fears!
     With his patriotic heart so filled, to our children to so 
           instill...so dear!
     Of All The Best, yes nothing less! As this patriot climbs 
           this hill with no fear!
     To Teach Us,
     To Reach Us....To So Beseech Us....
     As has Ryan so been seen, as where patriotism so 
           stands....for all of us to understand!
     The real Neon Dion!
     Shining far . . . Patriotism's Star . . . Shining way beyond! 
           Shining far!
     Ooh Rah . . . you've come so far . . . so fast . . . Marines 
           Do, They do no ask!
     For in this, Our Country Tis A Thee!
     Has come throughout her very history, such fine men and women 
           as he!
     Who are but her very soul, her very fabric of gold so indeed! 
           As why we are free!
     Ryan, March On You Patriot. We see!
       Dedicated to Ryan Dion . . . all the fine men . . . and 
     women just like him!

                          ____________________