[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9512-9513]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF LANCE CORPORAL ROBERT ``BOBBY'' THRAILKILL, USMC

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL HUIZENGA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2011

  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a real 
American hero, Lance Corporal Robert ``Bobby'' Thrailkill of Pentwater, 
Michigan.
  While out on foot patrol in Sagen, Afghanistan, on October 26, 2010, 
Bobby found a roadside bomb. After motioning for his fellow Marines to 
step back, the bomb exploded, causing traumatic injuries to Bobby, 
including the loss of his legs. Bobby faced months of rehabilitation at 
Walter Reed with courage and has come far in his recovery.
  Today, June 16th, Bobby will marry his fiance Karra Barr. I want to 
congratulate Bobby on this day and wish him a life of happiness, as 
well as thank him for his service to our country. In honor of Bobby, 
the following poem was written by Albert Caswell.

                             The Kill Zone

     On battlefields of honor bright. . . .
     There are but all of those who but bring their light. . . .
     All in the darkness of these days. . . . these nights. . . .
     Are but all of those heroes who but carry that fight, all In 
           The Kill Zone. . . ,
     Brave Hearts, men of courage 
           and might. . . .
     Whose blind faith but wins that battle, that fight. . . .
     Who into darken buildings will walk. . . .
     Knowing full well what death before them so lies, all in that 
           dark. . . .
     All in that Kill Zone. . . .

[[Page 9513]]

     As they but lead with their fine hearts. . . .
     The ones who so kick in all those doors, who are thou art. . 
           . .
     Envoys from God, our Lord's heart!
     United States Marines, men like Lcpl Thrailkill who so do 
           their part. . . .
     Who all in his most magnificent shades of green, is one darn 
           fine United States Marine. . . .
     As ever up ahead, out on point as he was so courageously 
           seen!
     And on that day Robert when you so faced death; lying there 
           with but not much left. . . .
     As defeat you would not except. . . .
     As Robert your fine heart would so 
           crest. . . .
     With two legs gone as on the morning as you awoke, with not 
           much left to hold on to. . . .
     As deep down inside of you, your fine heart so spoke. . . .
     As you wiped all of those tears from your eyes, and Marine 
           you so told yourself . . . .
     that you had new mountains to so climb. . . .
     Yea, Michigan Marines are just that 
           kind. . . .
     Who all in shades of green, the word courage so define . . .
     For you have miles to go before you 
           sleep . . .
     Hills to climb, all in your heart of courage so very deep. . 
           . .
     As Robert, there is nothing from your new mission that will 
           you so keep!
     All on your road to recovery . . ., as to all souls you so 
           speak!
     For once you walked upon those killing fields. . . .
     All for your God and Country Tis of Thee, this man of steel. 
           . . .
     As now your new war to be won. . . .
     As for all of your lost Brothers In Arms these ones,
     you will feel upon you face the new day's sun!
     Because, Strength In Honor . . ., is but from where you come. 
           . . .
     The kind of man that every father, so wished he had as a son. 
           . . .
     As You So Teach Us Robert, As You So Beseech Us Robert. . . .
     Oh look Marine, from where you've come, so far, so fast, 
           shining like the morning sun!
     As out on point, up ahead your new life has just begun. . . .
     As with your strong heart we now so see you run. . . .
     One of Michigan's greatest of all son's. . . .
     And on this day, get down on your 
           knees. . . .
     And but thank all of these!
     All of these fine sons, sons like Robert who into the Kill 
           Zone must venture to do what must be done!
     Could you in your life, so find the strength . . . to walk 
           into such that valley of death?
     Could you but find the courage and faith,
     to rebuild your life when you've so lost your strong legs as 
           left?
     Oh yes Robert how you have so shown us all the way!
     As one of the finest Americans, who never took . . . but 
           gave!

                          ____________________