Sue Wilkins Myrick

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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 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,

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!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American, Ret. Spc. Jim Mayer and all of the thousands of Disabled American Veterans out across America who are making a difference in the lives of our newly returning wounded warriors. He is a former native of Missouri, who lost both of his legs when he stepped on a mine two months in his first tour in Vietnam. I submit this poem penned in his honor by Albert Caswell.

Follow Me

Follow Me . . .

I'll walk with You . . .

Follow me in all I do . . .

For I was once just like you . . .

A young man, who went off to war . . .

All for my Country Tis Thee, with such burdens bore . . .

So strong and bold, and so self assured . . .

So dashing there, all in uniform . . .

Follow me, I'll lead the way . . .

to somehow help you move on this day . . .

As I bow down my head, and for you I now so pray . . .

For I was once like you, just moments away from my grave . .

.

As I too, remember that fateful morning as I awoke . . .

While, against all odds there seemed no hope!

As I so too, had such tears in my eyes as invoked!

And too so wondered, so wondered how I would cope!

When, all that I had so left . . . was but only hope!

Follow me, they call me The Milkshake Man!

For I have walked that walk!

And I know you can!

All in your shoes, as I so too have had all of those same

such thoughts!

As I so understand, how much you have to gain!

And how much so too you have lost, all in your pain!

So don't give up! And don't give in!

Let go of such thoughts, my friend!

Lift up your head, and raise that chin!

Follow me, for this is how your first steps begin!

So begins with you my friend . . .

For you will learn to walk again . . .

Or somehow replace your arms, your hands, your eyes my friend

. . .

All with that heart which beats with in!

For you can live or you can die?

Or you can so feel so very sorry for yourself, with tear in

eye . . .

Or with each new step, you can but let your fine soul rise!

And oh yes, you will have many . . . many . . . dark days

ahead . . .

Follow Me, take my hand . . . and listen to what my life has

said!

Walk with me, listen to your heart instead!

For your fine Life is worth living, and you're not dead!

Live for all of your Brothers and Sisters, who so died for

you instead!

For them, feel the breeze on your face . . .

And at night take them with you to bed!

Follow me, there's so much more to be said!

For my Son, my Daughter . . . I was once like you . . .

With all of that anger and hate inside of me, and such self

doubt too!

For I know where your are going, and I know where you have

been!

And oh yes, I know that its not fair . . . but these are

war's deadly sins!

All in what it can so do, to such magnificent women and men .

. .

For I was once like you, right on that edge!

All between life and death!

Follow me, and I promise you . . . your fine life will be

blessed!

As you Bless Our World, with all of your gifts . . .

As you so teach us all, that hope and faith are alive and

still exists!

And that your fine life, is one that is so worth to living

this!

For what you give, is what you get!

For the best is still yet to come, as so is yet!

Follow me, and yes it will be hard!

For now it's time, to do your part!

Lead my Son, lead my Daughter . . . lead but with your great

heart!

Rise Up . . . Rise Up my Son . . . my Daughter,

into now such a fine work of art!

Follow me, and take my hand . . .

As all of your great pain, I do now so understand!

For up in Heaven you need not arms or legs . . . nor eyes so

made!

And that's where we will all so meet again, on one fine day .

. .

Listen to these words I say, and you will find your way!

As over this hospital bed, I now so stand . . .

With tear in eye . . .

Looking at you, finding it so hard not to cry . . .

As these words I will say, ``Follow Me . . . and Take My

Hand''!

Walk with me, and one day because of your faith and courage

you will stand!

And I will be the one, following you my friend!