Political Quotes

“I rise this evening to read a poem by Molly Brown. Molly is a 13-year-old who suffers from cerebral palsy, and she is the daughter of a college professor at Sweet Briar and his wife. She read this poem at an Adaptive Ski event for injured soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan that was held at Wintergreen in Nelson County in my district. Commander William L. Shade of Nelson County American Legion Post 17 sent me this poem, and I want to share it with the United States House of Representatives. The poem is entitled ``Metamorphosis.'' For every soldier who lost something in Iraq: What do I say to those Who have looked time's end in the eye And faced it, heads raised, With their own eyes open Not afraid to fear? What comfort can I offer those Who lost the life they knew, And must begin again With eyes that see A world transformed? How do I greet the boy Who donned an Army jacket And stepped on a bus, Ending his childhood Before his time? I speak slowly, Knowing this is all I can say; I hope that on the mountain, As you take your first fall And powder, cool as moonlight, hits your cheek That you can regain If only for a moment All that you have lost And see before yourselves A future uninhibited and bright. By Molly Brown. ____________________”