[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26322]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 WHEN COURAGE COMES TO CREST: PFC BRENDAN MARROCCO, UNITED STATES ARMY

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                        HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 29, 2009

  Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the heroism 
of a real American hero, one of New York's and Staten Island's finest 
sons. Today, the Armed Forces and their families must come back home 
from war and rebuild their lives in many instances where nonlies left. 
As each, and on their own, they all will teach us about faith and 
courage and selfless sacrifice. PFC Brendan Marrocco is such a man who 
was gravely wounded in Iraq. During an EFP explosion, Rocco lost all 
four of his limbs. While clinging to life, most people may have given 
up but Rocco refuses! For he has a life to live, and a world to 
inspire. With the help of his brother Michael, who quit his job to be 
with him and help him as he moves onward. Rock on Rocco!

                      When Courage Comes To Crest

     All in our darkest days of night!
     When, all hope seems so lost . . . our plight . . .
     While, against all odds . . ., somehow we so fight! When, 
           Courage Comes To Crest!
     With only its shining light, will we but so see our very best 
           . . . our light!
     All in hearts of gold which will so bless, to lead that most 
           valiant fight!
     Upon, battlefields of honor yes, all in hearts of courage so 
           burning bright . . .
     Throughout all of those darkest days of war, those many 
           nights . . . as we so see their light!
     Amidst, all those battle cries . . . of the darkest of death 
           and gore as so comprised . . .
     As all of those most magnificent hearts, as so ignite . . .
     All in those faces of heroes, as when their courage so comes 
           to life!
     Who, but for this our nation bore . . . and would give up, oh 
           so much more . . .
     Holding Brothers In Arms, with but tears in their eyes . . .
     Until, their fine hearts beat no more . . . who so died!
     And all of those loved ones at home, who so worry for them as 
           their hearts so moan!
     As When, Courage Comes To Crest . . . as when so comes forth, 
           so much more from these who bless!
     As when, a new battle must begin! As from a coma you so awoke 
           so then . . .
     All in your loss, how such courage then . . . that even your 
           fine heart, may not except!
     As you look down all at the cost, wondering if you would be 
           but better off . . .
     Be but better off, dead . . . all in that moment of truth, as 
           what your brilliant heart so said!
     Showing us the proof . . . As so when, you must decide . . . 
           Should I live? Or should I die?
     When, but the very will to live . . . all in your fine heart, 
           so lies . . . `ah Rocco so lives!
     While so very, so very . . . so very . . . very . . . very . 
           . . very . . . deep down inside!
     When, Courage Comes To Crest . . . as the tears roll down 
           your fine eyes . . .
     As you lie there all in your pain, moments away from dying . 
           . . all in your most amazing grace comprised!
     As your courage so begins to rise! As Comes To Crest!
     As why, one day to Heaven . . . Rocco . . . you're my fine 
           soul shall so rise!
     As you so wipe away, all those swollen tears . . . as from 
           your most brilliant eyes . . .
     And you so say to yourself, I choose to live . . . and so Not 
           So To Die!
     As your most Heroic of All Hearts, so begins to cry!
     From somewhere, so very . . . very . . . very . . . deep down 
           inside . . .
     As you so decide, with all your might! To Live On! To Somehow 
           Fight!
     To Bring Your Light, and not ask why!
     All in what you have so left, so left . . . so very deep down 
           inside!
     As on this fine day, your beautiful heart so begins to rise . 
           . .
     For arms and legs we all need, but we can live without. . . .
     But, it's only with our hearts . . . that we can so not so 
           live no doubt!
     As this Roc, will not so be stopped!
     For Rocco, you have mountains to so climb . . . but to the 
           very top!
     Rock On Rocco . . . On How You So Roc!
     As you have Souls To Heal, and To Inspire . . . as you reach 
           for the top!
     As your fine heart of a comet, can not so be stopped!
     For from that Gotham City, comes your most Gotham Heart . . .
     As you grew up in the shadow of liberty, as Rocco . . . as 
           you have her heart!
     Setting, all others . . . so very far apart . . .
     For you will win! And you will rise, but to the top! For 
           there are Angel's put upon this earth . . .
     All in our Lord's eyes, who so come first . . . so Roc . . .
     To Reach Us, To Beseech Us . . . To Teach Us . . . all in 
           their fine worth!
     For all of Staten Island, is so smiling on this very day . . 
           .
     To have such a fine Son as you, all in what you so gave!
     So tried and true, and in your most heroic hue! You make us 
           all so very proud!
     Such men, and women such, as you . . . who in the towers once 
           ran up to the top!
     Yet, knowing this might be their last hours . . . as still, 
           they would not be stopped!
     There are Angels up in Heaven now Rocco . . . watching over 
           you!
     And if I ever have a son, I but hope and pray . . . that he 
           could be but just like you the fine one!
     The kind who's gold lies within his soul . . . as shone, to 
           everyone . . . all in your most heroic hue!
     For in the game of life, there is but only one way to win 
           that battle! Win, That fight so true!
     Of good versus evil, no less . . . to win that day, that 
           night . . .
     When, Courage Comes To Crest!

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