[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12770]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF LANCE CORPORAL ERIK GALVAN, AN AMERICAN HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 1, 2011

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of an American hero, 
Lance Corporal Erik Galvan, USMC of the 1/5 Bravo Company.
  While out on patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan on June 15, 2011, Lance 
Corporal Galvan was struck by an IED explosion and lost his right hand 
and both his legs. Thanks to quick response and attentiveness of his 
fellow soldier, Sergeant Joshua Yarbrough, his life was saved. Sergeant 
Yarbrough immediately placed tourniquets on all of the lost limbs and 
then proceeded to assist another injured Marine who also lost both legs 
after stepping on an IED. Lance Corporal Galvan's family has a history 
of public service. His older brother, Lance Corporal Edward Galvan, is 
also with the United States Marine Corps. With the love and support of 
his family and friends, Lance Corporal Galvan exhibits great strength 
and perseverance and now hopes to become a Crime Scene Investigator 
upon his full recovery.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in recognizing 
Lance Corporal Galvan. No words can fully express our gratitude for the 
sacrifice of our brave and dedicated service men and women. May our 
thoughts and prayers be with Lance Corporal Galvan as he recovers from 
his injuries.

                               Such Light

                          (By Albert Caswell)

     Such . . .
     Such Light . . .
     All in that fight . . .
     But, comes such heroes . . . who but bring their light!
     Shining all there in the darkness of war, so bright!
     Oh . . . Oh . . . Such Light!
     As you Erik, have but brought to this our world . . . this 
           night
     All in your most sacred sacrifice, all in this light!
     Which burns so bright, burns so bright!
     All in your most magnificent Shades of Green . . .
     As there as seen, all in honor's light!
     To win that battle, to win that fight!
     As when such hearts of valor do so ignite!
     As you so walked into the darkness of war's dark light!
     All for God and Country and what is right . . . is right!
     Such Light!
     And then as you lay dying!
     Somehow your heart of brilliance, so kept on trying!
     To win that fight!
     To live on into this world, but to bright your light . . .
     Because you are a
     United States Marine, who can win any fight!
     All for yourself and family, and lost Brothers In Arms,
     like Nic O'Brien who died in that fight!
     All in their most gallant . . . most gallant light!
     And though you have lost your two strong legs . . .
     And hand, you won't moan or beg!
     Because all inside of you our Lord so gave!
     So gave such light!
     To So Teach Us . . .
     To So Beseech Us . . .
     To So Reach Us . . .
     All in Such Light!
     And if ever I
     have a
     son . . .
     I pray his life has shown . . .
     Has shown . . .
     Such Light!

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