September 25, 2018

Dear Friend,

At this hour, 60 Mississippi National Guard soldiers and airmen are providing hurricane recovery support along the east coast. Soldiers from Meridian's Company B, 111th Aviation Regiment are providing heavy lift support using two CH-47F Chinook helicopters. The Air Guard has an RC-26 aircraft in North Carolina and South Carolina to assist with search and rescue. Their mission will include damage assessments. Additionally, Mississippi Air National Guard personnel are providing relief planning and coordination support.

As a member of the Mississippi National Guard for almost 33 years, I have participated in annual exercises to prepare for disaster assistance in the event of a tornado, hurricane, or other natural disaster. It is this training which helped our state respond well to Hurricane Katrina and the catastrophic damage that occurred on the Gulf Coast in August 2005. It is an honor and a privilege to serve alongside these men and women who defend our nation at home and across the globe. When our country is in need, you can count on the National Guard to be on the front lines, ready to defend and ready to assist.

workforce summit

Our fast-moving economy in Mississippi and the nation is encouraging more companies to expand and create more jobs. This comes at a time when America is seeing the lowest unemployment levels in almost 50 years. There is a critical need to find more people to fill positions with the specific skills employers require. Recently, Itawamba Community College, CREATE, the Community Development Foundation, and the Three Rivers Planning and Development District held a summit on career education and high demand jobs at the ICC Belden Center.

Industry leaders are calling for more people who can work in teams to solve problems. Universities and community colleges in the district and across Mississippi are working hard to match instruction with the skills companies require. It is equally important to get the message out to young people that a job in manufacturing can be a well-paying and fulfilling career. Teaming up with economic development agencies and our industrial partners will help all involved to achieve their goals.

honoring world war ii veterans

World War II veterans hold a special place in my heart. For so many who answered the call to defend our nation, this was the first time to be away from home. They traveled to distant lands to defend America, fighting battles to protect our freedoms and to preserve our way of life. Many of those who are still with us are well into their 90s.

As with all of our veterans, it is important to honor them for their service and sacrifice. Recently, our team presented a group of World War II veterans in Oxford with a flag that was flown in their honor over the U.S. Capitol. If you would like to have a flag flown in honor of a person, event, or organization, please click on the link.

world war ii veteran William jemison

You could say that William Jemison grew up in the military. His father, a U.S. Marine, served on military bases across America. When Mr. Jemison was 18, he left his job as a driver for the L.P. Parker Company in Aberdeen and entered the U.S. Army. The year was 1945. While serving in World War II, Mr. Jemison worked as a guard at a prisoners of war camp in France. After more than three years of service, he joined the U.S. Air Force.

Over the course of 17 1/2 years in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Jemison worked in fuel systems maintenance at bases in Spain, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Nevada. The 91-year-old lives in Oxford. He proudly wears his U.S. Air Force cap and takes an American flag with him wherever he goes. Mr. Jemison proudly served our nation. His service will always be appreciated and remembered.

If you would like to nominate a veteran to be featured in my newsletter, please give our Tupelo District Office team a call at (662) 841-8808.

a week in pictures

Tupelo Christian Womens Club

Tupelo Christian Womens Club Chairperson
Vicky Brett in Tupelo

Mississippi State Representative Hank Zuber,
Mississippi State Senator Rita Parks,
and Mary Childs, President and COO
The Peoples Bank of Ripley

Julie Starr and Sheila Kelly in DeSoto County

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.

STAY IN TOUCH

Let me know if there is anything my office can do to assist you. You can keep up with the latest news by signing up for my newsletter and following me on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress