[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 24]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 32633]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




``THIS CHRISTMAS,'' IN HONOR OF ALL OUR ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES 
                         THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a poetic 
tribute in honor of our Magnificent Armed Forces and their Splendid 
Families this Christmas and holiday season. And for all of the ones who 
are so separated by the miles, so very far across the shores. Our 
hearts, especially go out to all of those families who have lost their 
greatest loves of all, in the defense of our nation. And to all of 
those recovering from the grave wounds of war we pray for their speedy 
recovery. Bless them all! I ask that this poem penned by Albert Caswell 
be placed in the Record in honor of them as follows:

                          This Christmas . . .

     As the snow falls to the ground. . . .
     And all of our children dance, with songs of joy so all 
           around . . .
     With stockings hung by the chimneys with care. . . .
     With all of those hopes and dreams, of Santa there . . .
     With Christmas dinners and fires all aglow, as before this 
           family a feast lies so . . .
     A child is born, for all to know!
     But, remember . . . remember . . . remember all of those . . 
           .
     Those families! Those Patriots of Peace, all them, all of 
           these . . .
     The ones, who this Christmas will not together be . . .
     Who upon battlefields of honor fight!
     So far away from our Country Tis of Thee, this night . . .
     Men and Women of such honor bright, who for all of us . . . 
           so carry that fight . . .
     Who live with such heartache and death, as on each new day 
           their honor blesses . . .
     As they bless us all, with all their gifts of selflessness . 
           . .
     And all of those ones, whose greatest of all loves . . . now 
           so lie in soft quiet graves . . .
     Precious Daughters and Sons, Husbands and Wives . . .
     Fathers and Mothers, Sisters and Brothers who so gave . . .
     Who so gave That Last Full Measure . . . did they!
     Whose loved ones pain, can not be healed by time, nor so 
           divided . . .
     Who on this Christmas morning, sit with tears in eyes . . .
     With one less place set at the dinner table this year . . . 
           as they cry . . .
     And all of those who have come home, without arms and legs . 
           . .
     Blessing us with their fine gifts of courage displayed!
     Making us all so see, just how magnificent and inspiring a 
           heart can be!
     And all of those with loved ones, who are so far across the 
           shores . . .
     As each new day but brings such great worry . . . sure . . .
     But, waiting . . . but waiting for, that knock on the door . 
           . .
     That phone call, that they now not so pray for . . .
     Quiet Heroes, one and all!
     Watching them from Heaven, The Angel's tear drops fall . . .
     Lord God, Lord God . . . Bless Them . . . Bless Them All!
     For So Many, So Few Have But Paid The Cost!
     So bore the burden, so carry that cross! That cross of war!
     This Christmas, as you hold your families tight . . .
     And seem so fine, and so very right . . .
     And you see those smiles, of your children very bright . . .
     Give thanks, Give praise . . . as upon your knees fall and 
           pray . . .
     For all of those families, who've sacrificed . . . and 
           blessings of freedom they gave!
     This Christmas . . .

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