[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17217-17218]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  ``I'M EOD''--A TRIBUTE TO AN AMERICAN HERO--SSGT JOHNNY MORRIS, 2ND 
                     EOD, THE UNITED STATES MARINES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SUE WILKINS MYRICK

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2012

  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great Son of The 
South, SSGT Johnny Morris of 2nd EOD The United States Marines and his 
family of Loxley, Alabama. Johnny has one of the most dangerous jobs in 
The United States Marines, and on July 2nd 2011 SSGT Morris was almost 
killed in an IED blast as he was sweeping for explosives. He lost his 
leg and almost his life, but he never lost his faith or his courage. 
Him and his lovely wife Natalie and their new son Gage are a great 
American story and family. All you need to do is spend 10 minutes with 
this young man and you will walk away inspired and impressed. They make 
us all proud to be Americans. I submit this poem penned in his honor by 
Albert Caswell.

                                I'm EOD

     I'm EOD . . .
     So don't mess with me . . .
     I'm country and I like it . . .
     I'm a United States Marine!
     And I Roll with The Tide . . .
     And whenever they win National Championship,
     it makes me so all warm so inside . . .
     I've got a beautiful wife,
     and Natalie she's but the love of my life . . .
     And I'm EOD and I'm as bad as can be!
     And now our baby son Gage,
     he makes it three!
     Because,
     in this US of A . . .
     there's nothing you can not so be!
     And I'm all dressed in those Most Magnificent Shades of 
           Green,
     that's where you'll see me convene!
     For as long as you work hard,
     and in your self so believe . . .
     That's why this Father's son,
     became oh yes one of those few ones so indeed . . .
     Who stand ever so tall,
     and so protect us all . . .
     Yea, and so fight to be free . . .
     yea that's The Leather Neck all in me!
     All dressed all in Those Most Magnificent Shades of Green . . 
           .
     Oh yes,
     I am so proud as can be . . .
     But to be a United States Marine!
     So let it be said,
     that I'm ajar Head and so proud so to be!
     Yes, I'm EOD,
     and I'm as bad as can be!
     Because, me and my brothers . . .
     my fellow Marines . . .
     So go where angels so fear to tread,
     as ever we're seen!
     Right there but on that very edge death,
     if you know what I mean . . .
     Because, we are EOD and we are as bad as can be!
     While, in one another we all do so believe!
     As a Band of Brothers so all dressed in Green!
     Doing what most people would not so choose to be!
     Being EOD!
     But, I do it all again . . .
     But for my sweet Country Tis of Thee,
     as to her all of our lives are so pledged and that's how it's 
           going to be!
     For it's better to die for something,
     than to live for nothing at all!
     And that's why I put my boots on,
     and I so answered that call . . .
     That Call To Arms!
     Because, I'm EOD . . .
     so don't dare mess with me!
     And I'm as bad as can be!
     With nerves of such steel!
     Remember, Superman is not real!
     But I am you see!
     But, we are the 2nd EOD!
     As on each new day,
     it's with death that we so play!
     Yea, I lost my leg . . .
     but I won't moan, and I won't beg . . .
     And I'd do it all over again,

[[Page 17218]]

     because I'm so proud to say that I took that stand!
     All so my wife Natalie,
     and my son Gage can live in a free land that is so free . . .
     As here I so stand,
     with my family in hand and a smile on my face . . .
     It's just a speed bump on the road of life,
     and I have no regrets and as I'm not losing pace!
     So you better start running,
     if you want to catch up to me so don't wait . . .
     Because, I got nothing to complain about 
           . . .
     compared to all of my Brothers who are now in the ground . . 
           .
     As why I so honor them on each new day,
     as I so awake with a smile on my face . . .
     And for them I will always so feel the wind in my face,
     and so carry them with me so every place!
     As I take what my Lord has so given to me,
     as I'm just glad to be back in these here The United States!
     All in this most beautiful place . . .
     That we call The U. S. Of A.
     In soon back in sweet Alabama hip . . . hip . . . hooray!
     And when I'm so done my rehab,
     I'm going back to my sweet home Bama one day . . .
     Living large,
     and grow old and so grey!
     Because, when you've lived on the edge of death . . .
     And you've so witnessed your magnificent Brother's own death 
           . . .
     With tears in your eyes,
     while holding them tight,
     as they give them last rites . . .
     As than you so understand,
     just how lucky you are man, just to be alive!
     And how you are so very blessed,
     to have so known such magnificent men such as this!
     And carry them in your hearts each day!
     And for all of them now,
     I will so live a great life to make them so proud!
     And to all of their children and to all of their wives,
     and to their moms and their dads standing here with tears in 
           my eyes . . .
     I will always let them know that they were but the best,
     and in our hearts so keep them alive!
     Because they were EOD,
     and were as brave as could be!
     Yea, Heroes like you SSGT Morris,
     have our Country Tis of Thee So Blessed!
     As They So Teach Us!
     And So Beseech Us!
     As we so watch their fine hearts so crest . . .
     Yea, Johnny your EOD . . .
     and oh how do you make me so proud but be an American you 
           see!
     I could climb way up,
     but to the highest mountain top . . .
     But still,
     I could never so reach as high as you Morris,
     where you now so stand high atop!
     As an American Hero,
     and you and your family are but the very best that we've got!
     For Only The Few!
     For Only The Brave!
     For our Nation their hearts so gave!
     And so teach all just how to behave,
     yea SSGT Morris you're the cream of the crop!
     And that's why you and your family,
     America so loves and we will never stop!
     And yea You are EOD,
     and You are as bad and as brave as can be!
     And if ever I have a son,
     I wish he could be like this one!
     One of Alabama's bravest of all ones!
     For Heaven so awaits,
     for such men of courage and faith,
     all so dressed all in green!
     Because, he's EOD and as bad as can be!
     And his name is Johnny!

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