Washington, D.C. – A severely wounded, newlywed Marine from Cottonwood, Idaho, received standing ovations on the floor of the House of Representatives Monday. (link to video) The powerful moment came days before Congressman Walt Minnick will introduce legislation to help veterans seeking to further their education.
Marine LCpl. Randal Wright, 23, was taking in a tour of the Capitol with his new bride, Vanessa, also of Cottonwood, and his mother Dawn Wortman, of Boise, when he stopped for a meeting at the invitation of Congressman Walt Minnick. Wright also met with Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson.
Wright is in D.C. receiving treatment at Walter Reed Hospital for injuries suffered due to an IED blast in Afghanistan where he lost both legs and an arm.
Yesterday evening’s Congressional session celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At Minnick’s request, Wright was invited onto the floor, a rare honor, by the Speaker and he was introduced and praised for his service by both the Majority Leader and Speaker. Wright received several standing ovations and personal thanks from Members of Congress, all applauding his service and his bravery.
“LCpl. Randal Wright is an extraordinary young man who has made a great sacrifice for our country,” Minnick said. “Though Randal has returned home with wounds from the battlefield, he is going to live his life to its fullest with his beautiful new bride and help lead our country into the future. Idaho is proud. Our nation is proud. I thank Randal for his service and commend him for his courage.”
Minnick had telephoned Wright days before to congratulate Wright on his marriage Friday to Vanessa Hylton. Minnick had also entered a poem and statement into the Congressional record (pasted below), honoring Wright’s service.
Wright’s visit was timely in that it highlights who benefits from changes to last year’s historic New GI Bill. Minnick has offered legislation to expand the bill to make certain America repays the debt owed to its brave men and women, such as Wright. The Minnick bill already has a hearing date scheduled for September 16.
“LCpl. Wright did his duty. Now I call on Congress to do our duty and pass the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act,” Minnick said. “This bill will ensure that our veterans can come home and get the best education our country has to offer.”
Minnick’s bill is cosponsored by Reps Betsy Markey (CO-4) and Tom Periello (VA-5) and seeks to improve upon the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Once passed, Minnick’s bill will upgrade and simplify the New GI Bill by:
• Offering valuable job training for students studying at vocational schools;
• Granting full GI Bill credit to National Guardsmen responding to national
disasters (e.g.cleaning up the BP oil spill);
• Providing living allowances for veterans in distance learning programs;
• Expanding and simplifying the Yellow Ribbon Program; and
• Including a book stipend for active duty students.
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History of the GI Bill:
The 78th Congress passed a correction bill to complete the World War II GI Bill. The original GI Bill was generous but there was a lot of work to be done before it would become the smartest investment of the 20th century. One year after the first GI Bill was passed, few veterans were using it and in fact, many of the issues with the original GI Bill are nearly identical to the issues veterans have with the Post-9/11 GI Bill today. The 78th Congress realized this and passed their upgrade bill in order to create a realistic national reimbursement rate, expand the benefit to correspondence courses, and to include vocational training programs.
We need the 111th congress to do the same thing today.
Copy of statement and poem about LCpl. Randal Wright, entered into the Congressional Record by U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, Tuesday, July 20, 2010:
WHAT IS WRIGHT—A TRIBUTE TO
AN AMERICAN HERO, LANCE
CORPORAL RANDAL WRIGHT,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
HON. WALT MINNICK
OF IDAHO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Mr. MINNICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today
to honor a great American Hero from my state
of Idaho, Lance Corporal Randal Wright of
Cottonwood, Idaho, of the 1–2 Marine Division.
On May 23, 2010, Corporal Wright almost
lost his life in an I.A.D. explosion that
took his two fine legs and arm. Against all
odds he survived, and now courageously goes
forward with his new battle to rebuild his life.
His faith and his courage is a lesson to us all,
about to what heights a heart can soar. In less
than three months, Randal has come so far,
so fast in his recovery. On Friday July 23,
Randal plans to marry the love of his life,
Vanessa Hylton. In honor of his courage, and
selfless sacrifice, and his family and the upcoming
wedding on this Friday, I submit this
poem penned in honor of them by Albert
Carey Caswell for the RECORD. And may they
have a wonderful life together.
WHAT IS WRIGHT
What Is Wright?
What is bold? What is bright?
To fight the darkness, for hearts to hold . . .
to bring the light!
Who evil must fight!
And what is true, to make all hearts believe
in . . . ignite!
Is but a man who will go off to war, all for
his country such burdens bore . . .
Who’ll walk through the valley of death, all
for our nation to so bless . . .
A man who wears the uniform, of a United
States Marine so very warm . . .
What Is Wright?
Are all of these magnificent’s, who evil must
fight!
Is but a heart, that will bring its light!
For in that moment Randal, when you
looked down. . . .
And saw, all of what you had lost . . . that
you had found!
How easily you could have given up, let
down!
As the tears, broke upon your fine face so
now . . .
As when Marine, your fine heart began to
pound!
And told you, that you have to cover some
ground. . . .
For you have a life to live!
So much more to give!
To Beseech Us! To So Teach Us! To So Reach
Us!
As you Marine, do so now!
For all in this world of darkness,
and wrong. . . .
Your fine life Randal, is but a bright light
. . . a song!
Of what is Wright, to take with us into those
darkest of all nights . . . so now!
To lead the way, but with your light!
Of, all on God’s green earth . . . of what is
Wright!
And if ever I but have a son. . . .
May he shine Randal, as bright as you fine
one!
Of What Is Wright!
Thy will be done!