Lynn C. Woolsey: “all too often the painful stories of those who have served in Iraq go unheard by Representatives in Washington; however…”

“all too often the painful stories of those who have served in Iraq go unheard by Representatives in Washington; however, their experiences are a window into the truth about the real effect of this war on real people, both in service and after they come home from service. One of these stories belongs to Corporal Cloy Richards, who bravely served with the United States Marine Corps for two tours in Iraq and may soon be called back again even though he has been diagnosed with PTS. Cloy Richards has a poem; it is a courage poem. It is entitled: ``Why I Fight for Peace.'' This poem is exactly the message we need to hear. The message that shows us in our continuing debate on funding the occupation of Iraq, just how this affects our servicemembers. As I said, the poem is called, ``Why I Fight for Peace,'' by Corporal Cloy Richards, United States Marine Corps. And I am going to read it, Mr. Speaker. ``Because I can't forget no matter how hard I try. They told us we are taking out advancing Iraqi forces, but when we went to check out the bodies, they were nothing but women and children desperately fleeing their homes because they wanted to get out of the city before we attacked in the morning. ``Because my little brother, who is my job to protect, decided to join the California National Guard to get some money for college, and they promised he wouldn't go to Iraq. Instead, 3 months after enlisting, he was sent to Iraq for 1 year.…”