[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8099-8100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING M. SMITH COFFMAN FOR HER INSPIRATIONAL POEM, GHOSTS OF THE 
                                  PAST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2017

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize M. Smith Coffman 
for her powerful poem and kind words of inspiration to many. While the 
poem is meant to move and

[[Page 8100]]

inspire our service members and veterans in times of need, I believe 
everyone should experience it. I intend for everyone to procure some 
good fortune and hope from her message.

                           Ghosts of the Past

     The fog shrouded, silent vale,
     comes to life before my trail.
     Ghosts of the past, ride in the predawn mist,
     in their stirring I am by angels kissed.

     Here, the plan of war was born,
     and there, soldiers' lives were torn.
     Brave warriors on snorting, restless steeds,
     our heroes against men of evil deeds.

     See Lexington and Concord's men of pride.
     Rebs and Yanks who at Chickamauga died.
     See the tired, straggling wagon train,
     faces parched by sun, in battle's strain.

     Indians silently move their camps,
     past sod houses lit by dim oil lamps.
     I see the brave men from the Alamo,
     as on, and on, and on they go.

     Oh, ancient rocks, you saw it all,
     you saw where gallant man did fall.
     You echoed the shot, felt the glance of spear,
     the price for freedom, we hold dear.

     Our troops who fell on foreign soils,
     they the victors, won the spoils.
     There were those from the sky
     and from the sea,
     They gave of themselves to keep us free.
     Their souls, at last, are at home,
     no more foreign lands to roam.

     All are soothed in the mist,
     as o'er their separate paths they twist.
     Their laughter softly echoes from the rills,
     and across the windswept, rugged hills.
     Mingling, they have enemies no more,
     here at home or foreign shore.
     In cadence, I heard them say,
     ``Let not our sons go this way.
     Alas the new born cries at birth,
     but men must know of joy on earth.
     Oh, that we could right the wrong,
     Oh, that we could leave but song.''

     Oh Lord, many of our brave, gallant men of pride,
     put their lives upon the line, fought and died.
     Men with bodies and emotions torn,
     this great loss we all should mourn.
     I stand and salute you, one and all.
     You went through hell, for country's call.

     Dear Lord, I pray their pain relive,
     give them strength and hope, and ease.
     They should receive the best of care,
     FOR 'TIS BY THEM WE BREATHE FREE AIR.
     For freedom's cause they did not bend,
     they pledged their allegiance to the flag until the end.

     ``Children, Listen,'' the midst does sing.
     ``We know not what this day or the years will bring.
     Stand brave and strong for liberty's call.
     Your country needs you one and all.
     Give thanks for all that was and is.
     and for the heroes who lived, and live.
     Give thanks for freedom that was not lost.
     Give thanks to those who paid the cost.''

     The mist soon melted into the morning sun.
     THEY ARE OUR HEART'S BLOOD
     THEY ARE NOT GONE.
     These brave men and women did not live or die in vain.
     Our flag unfurled we will sustain.

     IN GOD WE TRUST

     AMEN

  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I 
ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing M. Smith 
Coffman for her encouraging words.

                          ____________________