[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5173]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




I STAND IN HONOR OF A REAL AMERICAN HERO, SSG JAMES S. CLARK, U.S. ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2010

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of a real American 
hero, SSG James S. Clark of Aco 1/17 IN. I ask that this poetic tribute 
penned by Albert Caswell of the Capitol Guide Service, be placed in the 
Record in honor of Staff Sergeant Clark. On October 15, 2009, James 
lost his leg and almost his life, in an IED explosion in Khandahar 
Afghanistan. Like many of our fine sons and daughters, who have been 
injured, he has, and will continue to, inspire us all with his faith, 
courage and determination during his recovery. James plans to move to 
San Antonio, Texas to live with his wife Kae-c and their children 
Samarra and Izeyah and their family to receive treatment. We welcome 
another great American veteran and his family with open arms, to our 
community of heroic heroes--patriots who have served our Nation over 
the years.

                                I Stand

     I STAND!
     I stood, so you can sleep . . .
     While, out across our nation so many fine families weep . . .
     For all of my Brothers and Sisters In Arms, who but their 
           promises did so keep!
     As I raised my hand, and swore with all my heart . . . for 
           something true!
     To live and die, and not ask why . . . all for that Old Red, 
           White, and Blue!
     As I cried, as I watched my Brothers die!
     As they stood and so did I, to protect you . . . the reasons 
           why . . .
     Yes, my fine leg I have lost . . .
     But, such things are but the high price . . . of freedom's 
           cost!
     And now, I must rebuild . . . and oh yes . . . yes I will!
     For, I Will Stand . . . And I Will Run!
     For all my Fallen Brothers, I will live to see the new day's 
           sun!
     For what I have lost, so much more I've gained . . .
     As now my new war's just begun!
     As I work through all of this heartache, and pain . . .
     Until I'm done!
     For I'm not half the man I used to be . . .
     For the sum, is far much more greater inside of me!
     For I'd rather stand for something, than nothing at all!
     I won't moan, and I won't crawl . . .
     As I will run again, standing tall . . .
     For I am, an Army Man!
     Like all of my Brothers, Army Strong I So Stand!
     In life, there's only so much time!
     To Stand For Something, To Heaven Find!
     I'd rather stand for something than nothing at all!
     Can you but not hear, my heart call?
     For such men of such worth, as James . . .
     Are put upon this earth, to stand . . . and in our souls 
           remain . . .
     To Teach Us . . . To Reach Us . . . to All of Our Hearts . . 
           .
     To So Beseech Us . . .
     And if I ever have a son, I but hope and pray . . . he could 
           be like this one!
     Who Stands!

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