Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Malcolm James ``Jimmy'' Keep, a lifelong Memphian and a veteran of World War II who fought bravely against Japanese forces in Guam, Saipan, and Iwo Jima. Keep, now 88 years of age, served with the 4th Marine Division after joining the Marines at age 17 in 1943. Tomorrow, Mr. Keep and his son, Mickey, will travel to Iwo Jima, with the help of a Memphis-based nonprofit organization called Forever Young Senior Veterans, to join 70 other Marine veterans for a 70th anniversary gathering. Jimmy Keep was assigned to reconnaissance duty early in his career and recalls fighting on Saipan as the bloodiest thing he had ever seen. He came under enemy fire from all sides on Iwo Jima when his amphibious tank was disabled, causing him and his partner, Charlie, to evacuate on foot. The two escaped unharmed, earning them the nickname ``rain- walkers.'' If they could survive that kind of heavy fire, they could surely walk through rain without getting wet. On Iwo Jima, Keep cleared out huge tunnels that were used by the enemy to launch attacks on the Marines, and he helped carry a fellow marine who was injured back to the beach. He told him: ``You're getting off this rock. I'll trade places with you.'' Jimmy Keep is a true hero. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Malcolm James ``Jimmy'' Keep for his service and bravery as a marine with the 4th Marine Division during the Pacific campaigns in World War II.…”