[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7298]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING SENIOR AIRMAN MARK ANDREW FORESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2011

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a fallen 
hero, Senior Airman Mark Andrew Forester, from my hometown of 
Haleyville, Alabama.
  Mark was killed in action on September 29, 2010, while so valiantly 
trying to rescue a wounded comrade, SGT 1st Class Calvin Harris; Mark 
ran into direct enemy fire, without regard of his own life, in an 
attempt to pull his comrade back to safety. Both died on that day, and 
only earlier on that morning they had taken a beautiful photo together.
  Mark was a highly decorated Airman who gave that last full measure of 
devotion and received many honors, such as Purple Hearts and a Bronze 
Star with Valor. He was so very loved by all of the men in his unit, 
and his beautiful family.
  This coming Saturday, May 14, marks what would have been his 30th 
birthday. In recognition of that occasion I ask that a tribute to Mark 
be inserted in the Record, written by Bert Caswell, at the behest of 
Mark's fellow airman George Earhart who was in battle with him on that 
day. Airman Earhart was inspired by Mark, that Mark was the greatest 
person he has ever met, and was greatly impacted by his love of all the 
children in theater.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark and his family, as they 
continue to mourn his loss.

                                 Devout

     All In . . .
     All in this our Country of Tis of Thee . . .
     There are such brave hearts, such magnificent souls such men 
           as these!
     Such Strong Bold Men, who all in Strength In Honor do so 
           believe!
     Freedom Fighters who so live and die . . . All with their 
           most sacred battle cries!
     Who are all so Devout!
     All in and out, as all in their most magnificent hues!
     As they all so stand so very strong, all for that old Red, 
           White, and Blue!
     And all, with families who but live so close!
     As on each new morning, their love but means the most!
     Who now must so live all in such pain, and in such heartache 
           to remain . . .
     As their most swollen tears upon theirface fall like the 
           rains . . .
     As were you Mark, so Devout! A man for all seasons, all 
           throughout!
     As God, Country, and Family . . . were, but what you were so 
           really all about!
     And, ah yes you were but our Father's Son . . .
     As why now, from up in Heaven his tears for your selflessness 
           so run . . .
     All because of your most sacred gift, your most precious life 
           as was all of this . . .
     As why Mark, you were so Devout!
     As a hero who so marched off to war . . . All for God and 
           Country, as was your burden bore!
     And oh what a magnificent shadow, you'd so cast . . .
     So striking there, all in uniform as now etched upon our 
           hearts to last!
     With that Bama hat upon your head, as your most brilliant 
           smile to all so said . . .
     So said, that was a smile that could have launched a thousand 
           ships . . .
     As why when we so see your picture, oh how the pain it gives!
     For you were a lover of life, all in your most sacred path so 
           bright!
     And all of those children that you've so touched, and made 
           laugh on those nights . . .
     All in the midst of dark evil war, as to them your warmth and 
           love meant so much more!
     Bringing, such smiles to all of their faces . . . now carried 
           within their hearts in all places!
     As, such a magnificent warrior who so lived and died . . . by 
           these words of pride!
     Strength in Honor, as why on this morning we now so cry . . .
     As we found out all about your actions the day you died!
     Devout!
     Shining, so brightly . . . Airman Forester, within and out!
     So Brilliant . . . So Brilliant . . . as was your life no 
           doubt!
     A beacon of hope, for all of mankind as was your true amount!
     Showing us all to what new heights a soul can climb!
     All in your glory, and such selflessness we now so find!
     Honor, Duty, Country, God, and Family . . .
     As it was you Mark, who so ran into that face of hell!
     But, to save your Brother In Arms Calvin . . . as we will all 
           remember well!
     Because all in that moment of truth, as your most noble heart 
           gave us all the proof . . .
     That, you were so Devout!
     As you had done so many times before!
     All for what was real! And what is true! As why on this day, 
           our hearts so break for you . . .
     As why all our tears so flow, whenever we so think of you so! 
           And how you were, so Devout . . .
     And thinking of all of your love ones, pain so now . . .
     And all of your Brothers In Arms, who now with you must now 
           so live without!
     For in your lifetime Mark, you so soared!
     High above, as an Eagle . . . as an Airman, In The United 
           States Air Force!
     As all across Alabama this night . . .
     As you lay your head down to rest, and all of those tears you 
           must fight . . .
     And to their families, who now so live without . . .
     Take comfort, all in those souls that Mark has so blessed!
     As comes a gentle rain, as our Lord's tears wash down upon 
           you to ease your pain . . .
     And upon you will remain, until up in Heaven you all meet 
           once again . . .
     And you won't have to cry anymore . . .
     For Mark is but an Angel in flight, to watch over us all this 
           night!
     All in the Army of our Lord, to turn the darkness into the 
           light!
     Who, are Devout!

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