[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17219-17220]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 ``I'M YOUR CAPTAIN''--IN HONOR OF CAPTAIN ATOINE BATES, 1ST BATTALION 
                 5TH MARINES, 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 in honor of a great American 
Son from Ohio, Captain Atoine Bates of The United States Marine Corps. 
Captain Bates, while out on patrol with his men on June 26, 2011 in 
Sangin in Afghanistan, almost lost his life in a IED explosion. He lost 
his leg and sustained numerous other life threatened injuries at the 
time. Captain Bates has always been a leader. Already, in such a short 
time he's made a great recovery over at Walter Reed. His example to our 
nation and to his men inspire us all. He plans to stay in the Marines, 
for he was born to be a United States Marine. Families are the key 
component to recovery, and his has been there for him from the very 
beginning. His father like many other families has stopped what he was 
doing to be with him every step of the way. I submit this poem penned 
in honor and his recovery by Albert Caswell.

                            I'm Your Captain

     I'm. . .
     I'm your Captain . . . 
     Follow me . . . 
     I will lead!
     For we all so proudly wear those most magnificent shades of 
           green!
     For we all are The United States Marines!
     One of the greatest things,
     that this country has ever seen!
     Men and Women,
     of honor bright . . . 
     Who so go off to war to win that battle,
     to win that fight!
     All for God and Country,
     are but our burdens bore . . . 
     As we all so march off out into that darkness for sure!
     For we all so live and so die,
     for something far much more greater and do not ask why!
     While, marching out into that face of hell as our colors fly 
           . . . 
     For where you go men,
     will go I!
     Out in front,
     into that face of death as upon each other we so rely!
     As Brothers In Arms,
     for each other we are all so willing to die!
     All in that name of freedom,
     we all so wear that uniform to reach new heights!
     As one,
     together we all so bond!
     As brave hearts we move out and move on!
     To so soar!
     For We Are All The United States Marine Corps!
     Follow me,
     and I will lead!
     So willingly for you Marine,
     I will die and I will bleed!
     So proudly,
     all in those Magnificent Shades of Green!
     As it was out on that fateful day!
     While, on patrol . . . .
     when an IED explosion almost took your fine life away . . . 
     Right there on that edge of death,
     as when your fine heart so sung and began to crest!
     As you so pledged to yourself near death,
     to get up and run again no less!
     Because,
     pity is not where your friend!
     And Faith and Courage,
     are what you are so armed with my son!
     And as we so listen to your fine heart so very deep down 
           within!
     As with each new step,
     your recovery has so gained so much then!
     For Captain Bates, you've got a life to so live . . . 
     And its where you are going,
     not where you've been!
     And Marine you were so born to lead!
     And Captain Bates,
     your fine heart will not so stop . . . nor so heed!
     Because,
     failure is not an option for this here United States Marine!
     As You So Teach Us . . . 
     So Reach Us . . . 
     and in every way To So Beseech Us!
     For you are but an American Hero,
     A Leader . . . one of a special breed!

[[Page 17220]]

     For you are a United States Marine!
     I am your Captain . . . 
     you are my women and my men!
     Where you go,
     I will go time and again!
     For I will always have your back against the wind!
     Because, I'd rather die with you . . . 
     than live without!
     All In That Fight,
     I am with you each and every step of the way no doubt!
     Because, Moments are all that we so have!
     To Make A Difference!
     To Grab Hearts!
     I'm your Captain!
     Follow Me!
     I will lead!
     All in my Most Magnificent Shades of Green!
     Because,
     you Captain Bates were but born to lead!
     And you so give to your Brothers and Sisters In Arms in the 
           battle all they need!
     Oooh Rah Jar Head,
     for you are fine United States Marine!
     I'm your Captain let me lead!

                          ____________________