[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10983-10984]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  I WILL! A TRIBUTE TO TECH. SERGEANT WILLIAM JEFFERSON, JR., UNITED 
                            STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THELMA D. DRAKE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2008

  Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, Poet and Capitol Tour Guide Albert C. 
Caswell, who has

[[Page 10984]]

been the author of many heartfelt tributes to our military servicemen 
and women, recently penned a poem in honor of Tech. Sergeant William 
Jefferson Jr. who died from injuries caused by an improvised explosive 
device on March 22, 2008. As an instructor at the Combat Control 
School, he trained more than 400 combat controllers in 4 years. He was 
posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Air Force Combat 
Action Medal. Sergeant Jefferson epitomizes the dedication and courage 
of our brave men and women on the frontline, who sometimes make the 
ultimate sacrifice to defend their country and its values. I am proud 
to submit the following into the Record.

                                I Will!

     I Will fight,
     and I Will bleed!
     All so my Country,
     may live in peace!
     And, I Will lead!
     All for God,
     and Country Tis of Thee!
     And, I Will give up . . .
     My wonderful wife, and watch her grieve!
     And never again,
     My sweet little child Tyler, so see!
     As all of this world, I so leave!
     And not ask why, so indeed!
     But for The Greater Good . . .
     All of this, I so would!
     I may die, and I may bleed!
     All so we can be free!
     As I so look up to The Heavens above . . .
     And ask The Lord all in his love, to watch over my family!
     For I Will!
     Dedicate my entire life to thee . . .
     As I Will!
     In the darkest nights of war, so be . . .
     Strong, and full of courage . . . Me!
     All for my Country Tis of Thee . . .
     All for my brothers and Sisters in arms . . .
     I Will forever fight on continually!
     As I Will, carry that charge . . .
     All with, what's inside of me!
     As I Will!
     Gaze, into That Face of Death!
     And give up, all that I have so left . . .
     All so to insure!
     That my children . . .
     Shall not ever have to go off to war!
     As I Will, so stand for peace . . .
     As I Will, hear Our Lord's Call Sign . . . calling me!
     As an Angel in The Army of Our Lord. I Will Be!
     Until, up in Heaven, Kristy, Tyler, Mom, Dad, and Family!
     One day, we Will all so meet!
     And Give up all, that I so love and need!
     All for what I believe!
     I Will!

  In memory of A Real American Hero . . . Tech Sgt. William Jefferson 
Jr. May our Lord bless you and your wife Kristy and your daughter . . . 
and he will!

                          ____________________