Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House of Representatives the story of Marine Corporal Bradley J. Walker of White Pine, Tennessee. Corporal Walker, a proud American and proud Marine, was injured when his Humvee…
Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House of Representatives the story of Marine Corporal Bradley J. Walker of White Pine, Tennessee.
Corporal Walker, a proud American and proud Marine, was injured when his Humvee vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Haditha, Iraq in November of 2006. As a result of his injuries, Corporal Walker had both legs amputated at the knees. Since that time, Corporal Walker has been an inspiration to all of us as he has taken to his recuperation with the same drive and determination that was the hallmark of his service with the Marine Corps.
As has always been the case, the community of White Pine rallied to the cause of Walker's family in the true ``Volunteer State'' spirit by transforming their home to meet Corporal Walker's new needs as well as honoring him
with a parade and a declaration of ``Brad Walker Day.''
Corporal Walker has been an inspiration to many others as well. Recently, I had a discussion with Bert Caswell, a member of the Capitol Guide Service. Bert had met Brad at Walter Reed Medical Center and was truly moved by his story. That inspiration led Bert to write a poem that honors Corporal Walker. I enjoyed having the opportunity to read this poem and wanted to share this with the House of Representatives:
Walking Tall
(By Albert Carey Caswell)
There's a calm before the storm . . .
Upon, battlefields of honor in hearts as worn . . .
All in souls of honor, as into the darkness their hearts of
courage move on . . . where magnificence is born . . .
And when that battle is done . . .
Fine Men and Women of honor lie face down, living but their
last most brilliant suns!
And then there are those ones, left behind with new battles
begun . . . without arms and legs our sons . . .
As somehow their heart's must get up and walk again . . .
All in their pain and heartache, as their most splendid souls
must somehow begin . . .
Telling them to get up and walk, as these inner voices of
faith and courage so much has taught in the end!
Taught us all about the walk, the walk of life . . .
All in the kinds of battles we so chose to fight, all in
these our darkest days of night . . .
All between dark and light, life and death . . . good and
evil . . . as comes this battle, this their fine fight
. . .
Is but their walk so burning bright . . .
Is but their walk of life, which brings such light . . . to
everyone there so in sight . . .
Are all those steps they take, watching them . . . as all of
our hearts so begin to break, all on this night . . .
And now upon this day, so seen . . .
Is but a fine United States Marine, Corporal Bradley J.
Walker of Tennessee . . .
Who went off to war, who gave up his two fine legs all for
our country tis of thee . . .
While, there in the face of death . . .
As he looked down to see no legs left, when he began his most
heroic quest . . .
But, cheating death . . . as he began to walk . . . step by
step . . . as his faith our world would bless . . .
As Brad, stands even taller on this day . . .
All in what his heart has now so conveyed, all in those new
steps he has so made . . .
For Marines can do, and a heart of courage full can so teach
so much too . . . all in courage's way!
All in our walk o life . . .
Will we walk tall, and with our souls so burn bright? Doing
what is right!
As comes this night, Walking Tall . . . Corporal Bradley
Walker this valiant knight . . .
Brad, The Toast of Tennessee . . .
One damn fine United States Marine . . .
And if I ever have a son, I but hope and pray he'd be like
this one . . . Walking Tall like Bradley!
In honor of Corporal Bradley J. Walker, D Co., 4th Combat
Engineer Battalion of White Pine Tennessee.
Madam Speaker, this is a fitting tribute to a fine young man who has sacrificed so much for his country, and I hope that the House will join me in honoring Corporal Walker for his service and thanking Bert Caswell for his tribute to this young man's service and sacrifice.
