[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4512-4513]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




THE KEYS TO LIFE: HONORING AN AMERICAN HERO, CORPORAL ADAM KEYS OF THE 
           618TH ENGINEER SUPPORT CO., THE UNITED STATES ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2013

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Pennsylvania's 
most heroic sons, Adam Keys of the United States Army, 618th Engineer 
Combat Team. On July 14, 2010, while on patrol in his vehicle, a 
thousand pound IED went off, killing four of Adam's Brothers in Arms, 
including his best friend Jesse Reed. Adam and Jesse were close friends 
at White High School and joined the Army together. Close to death, 
miraculously Adam survived to begin his new battle. Adam lost his legs 
and an arm in this horrific attack. I have spent time with Adam and his 
mother, Julie Keys, on a number of occasions. Adam's bravery and Mrs. 
Keys' strength go unmatched. This poem, ``The Keys to Life,'' authored 
by Mr. Bert Caswell--a tireless and devoted advocate for our wounded 
warriors--is in honor of Adam's courageous sacrifice for our nation and 
the inspiration he offers to his family, friends, and those he meets 
along his journey today.

                            The Keys To Life

     Along the road of life. . .
     There are some Keys to so realize. . .
     That which, we should all so live by!
     Up which rise so very high,
     up above all else which now so lies!
     Where, faith and honor. . .
     but so touch the sky!
     That which so determines,
     who we are as realized!
     When, who so lives and so dies!
     All in these the short moments of our lives. . .
     All in that most magnificent code,
     that which we should all so live by. . .
     A code of honor,

[[Page 4513]]

     that which so makes even the Angels cry!
     That all in our stead,
     so determines if we have so followed or led!
     And so left behind!
     When, to this world we say goodbye. . .
     For The Greatest Things of All,
     we find in hearts of courage full who come to call!
     Who so serve our country armed with words like,
     Strength In Honor, Faith and Courage. . .
     who all in the darkest nights will not so be discouraged. . .
     With words like Duty, Country, and God,
     which so ranks the highest of them all. . .
     As The Key To Life is so found,
     all in a heart of faith which now so astound!
     So very deep down,
     inside of one's soul that which comes to call. . .
     All in your most splendid life,
     as Adam we have so saw. . .
     Which brings such tears,
     to even the Angel's eyes which now fall. . .
     That gives one the strength to so courageously stand tall!
     While, all those darkest of all nights of all!
     As we so see Adam's fine heart so come to call!
     But, to wear that uniform. . .
     of The United States Army,
     and march off to war with hearts of courage warm. . .
     To so face of death,
     but For The Greater Good all in a Heroes quest!
     All in your most heroic sheen,
     To But Be The Best!
     And Adam,
     when in that moment of truth,
     as there you were so close to death!
     As your fine life hung by just a thread. . .
     As four of your Brothers In Arms,
     now beside you so heroically lie dead!
     And you so saw,
     what this war had done. . .
     and you so began to cry for your lost loved ones. . .
     As it was all in that moment of truth,
     as when you so gallantly denied death!
     As your fine heart so chose to fight,
     to rise up with not much left!
     As you so dug deep down inside,
     and so reached for the skies!
     But, to Live or Die?
     As somehow,
     you so found that faith and courage to so survive!
     As Pennsylvania's Pride,
     as you so wiped away all of those tears from your eyes!
     And you so began your new battle cry!
     As all out on your road to recovery,
     as you so passed them all so by!
     As somehow we must catch up to you,
     so try!
     For it's all within your great heart of faith,
     that you found the way. . .
     But where The Key's To Life So Lie!
     As you so unlocked all of that heartache and pain,
     and would not compromise!
     As your fine heart got up,
     and so began to rise!
     And for all of your fallen Brothers In Arms,
     you so carry with you now inside!
     As you so honor them all in this way,
     all in what your most courageous life now portrays!
     As you are Army Strong in every way!
     Hoo. . . ah. . . as you so rebuild your life day after day!
     For a heart can take us to places,
     to where dreams are so made this!
     Can so help us to win wars,
     and bring us back from the dead as the world we so amaze!
     Even without legs, and arms. . .
     can help us walk again and hold the world in our arms this 
           day!
     For Adam they may take your strong arm and legs!
     But, they can not so touch Adam,
     what's within your fine heart of faith so armed!
     Because, Adam you are Army Strong!
     And your fine life is but a song,
     a song of character and faith to us which now belongs. . .
     With The Keys To Life to keep us strong!
     So we better start running,
     if we want to catch up to you!
     Because, some people are put upon this earth. . .
     To So Teach and So Beseech Us All In Their Great Worth!
     So surely Adam,
     as you have so shown us all what so truly comes first!
     And your fine Mother,
     who through thick and thin stood. . .
     Has so stood by you in the very worst!
     And helped you with your rebirth!
     For these are The Keys To Life,
     chapter and verse!
     And if ever I have a son,
     I wish he could be as courageous as this one!
     Who with his fine heart of gold,
     so shines like the morning sun,
     for all of us to so behold!
     Because Adam,
     all in what your fine life is about. . .
     Are also found the keys to Heaven no doubt!
     As you have so bravely shown us all,
     how to so live with and without!
     But, up in Heaven. . .
     you need not arms nor legs. . .
     And Adam my son,
     that's where you're going one fine day. . .
     Up with our Lord where you will run. . .
     For you have so shone us all,
     The Keys to Life,
     my son!

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