[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17415-17416]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING U.S. MARINE CORPORAL AARON HOWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American 
hero, United States Marine Cpl Aaron Howell from Potsdam, New York. On 
April 22, 2010, during a mortar attack in Afghanistan, Corporal Howell 
lost both his legs and most of his fingers on one hand. Close to death, 
he somehow summoned the will to live. His life and his experiences are 
an inspiring lesson to us all about the selfless sacrifice and courage 
of the men and women serving in the military today. As Corporal Howell 
meets his latest challenge to rebuild his life, we know that this 
Marine will climb the next mountain and, with his courage and can-do 
attitude, will serve as an example to us all. I ask that this poem, 
written by Albert Carey Caswell, in the honor of Corporal Howell's 
extraordinary courage, be placed in the Congressional Record.

                                Howell?

     Howell does one go off to war?
     Howell do you walk though the valley of death, and yourself 
           ignore?
     Howell do you come back from the dead, and rebuild your life 
           again once more?
     Howell do you wake up and see your fine legs, and part of 
           your strong hands so gone?
     Howell do you find the courage, the strength to somehow move 
           on?
     Howell, do you raise your fine head up so high, and want to 
           live, with tears in eye?
     For only such things in a magnificent heart of courage so 
           lie!
     For only such things our Lord God up in Heaven, the courage 
           so gives!
     That against all odds, tells you I still have so much more to 
           this our world to give!
     For only such beauty, but comes and so emanates . . . from a 
           heart where faith and courage live!
     Yea, you Marine . . . who upon battlefield of honor were so 
           bravely and so heroically seen!
     As with your Brothers In Arms, who but did so such many most 
           magnificent 
           things . . .
     Living and dying for each other, all in that most heroic hue 
           of green . . .
     All in that great glory and high honor, of being a United 
           States Marine . . .
     And when on that morning you awoke, all in your tears as you 
           began to choke . . .

[[Page 17416]]

     As it was when your fine heart so spoke!
     Don't give in, don't give up . . . finding hope!
     Just Howell, did you find the strength to cope!
     Bringing the Angel's up in Heaven to tears, emote!
     Just Howell, do you wake on each new morn . . . as oh Howell, 
           you inspire us all with your life so worn!
     As you Teach Us . . . as You So Beseech Us . . . as upon our 
           souls your faith adorns!
     For you are but the kind of Son, every Father on earth would 
           wish for one!
     As you make us understand just Howell Heaven is won!
     And Howell against all odds, Thy Will Be Done!
     Now, I know Howell!

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