November 27, 2017

Dear Friend,

During this holiday season, I ask you to join me in remembering the military men and women at home and abroad who work every day to preserve our freedoms. To read more of my column in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, please click on the link.

national veterans and military families month

November is National Veterans and Military families month. Throughout the history of our nation, millions of American families have waited for a loved one to return home from active duty. That commitment continues to this day. Next year, the Mississippi Army National Guard 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team will be deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Alva Dowdy, Specialist (SPC) Robert Dowdy, Staff Sergeant (SSG) Bobby Lambert, and First Lieutenant (1LT) Steven Lambert will be among the 4,200 soldiers to be deployed. What makes the Lamberts and the Dowdys unique is that they are fathers and sons who will be deployed together. They were recognized on Father's Day while training at the National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, California.

1LT Steven Lambert, SSG Bobby Lambert,
SPC Robert Dowdy, and SFC Alva Dowdy

SFC Dowdy, a Ripley resident, said he is proud that his son wanted to follow in his footsteps. "I'm very proud," SFC Dowdy said. "He chose to stand up and serve our country." SSG Lambert, a Prentiss County native, deployed to Iraq in 2009. This time, his son will join him abroad. "I'm good with it," SSG Lambert said. "It will be hard on my wife with our son also going." 1LT Lambert said he always wanted to serve in the military. "I want to serve my country and to also serve my state."

WWII veterans celebrate birthdays

Recently, our team was honored to present American flags that were flown over the U.S. Capitol building to two northeast Mississippi World War II veterans. Both were celebrating their birthdays. L.K. "Pap" Pang of Marks is 105 and Norman Manley Clark of Oxford is 103. Mr. Pang and Mr. Clark, residents of the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford, proudly served our nation.

Mr. Pang is one of ten children raised on a farm in the Mississippi Delta. He served in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed on the island of Attu, off the coast of Alaska, after the Battle of Attu. The island was temporarily lost to Japan in June 1942, but was retaken by the U.S. in May 1943. After WWII, Mr. Pang returned to the family farm. He promised to take care of the family and he did. Mr. Pang made sure all 16 of his nieces and nephews graduated from the University of Mississippi.

Norman Manley Clark, a St. Louis, Missouri native, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1938. His aunt encouraged him to become a doctor. His uncle wanted him to become an artist because he was a gifted poet. Instead, Mr. Clark enlisted in the U.S. Navy. "They gave me their advice," Mr. Clark said. "I wanted an adventure." His first tour of service was on the USS Medusa from August 1938 to January 1943. Mr. Clark witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. After 33 years of service, Mr. Clark retired. When asked about his long career in the military, Mr. Clark reached for his hat and pulled out a list of ships he was assigned to. "Wherever they sent me, I would go," Mr. Clark said. Mr. Pang and Mr. Clark are members of the greatest generation.

honoring a veteran

Retired U.S. Navy Sailor Gary Blount was recently honored for his service by Willy Weddle, a field representative with our Eupora district office. Mr. Blount was being recognized for his service to America along with a group of veterans. Mr. Blount, a Kilmichael resident, enlisted in the Navy in 1955 and served eight years. He said much of his time was spent patrolling the China Straits following the Korean War.

Mr. Blount received a U.S. flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. "All of the veterans would like to have received the flag," Mr. Blount said. "As the oldest veteran in the group, I took top honors!" If you would like to have a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, contact our office or click on the link for details.

fortune 300 company locates in southaven

Mississippi's business friendly climate has attracted a new industry to DeSoto County. Last week, Henry Schein Animal Health, the U.S. animal health business of Fortune 300 company Henry Schein, Inc., announced it is opening a new distribution center in Southaven.

The company will be investing $1.7 million in the operation, creating 27 new jobs.

small business saturday

Small business operators fuel Mississippi's economy, employing thousands of our citizens. Across America, they represent 99.9 percent of all businesses with employees, creating a total of 1.4 million net new jobs.

Members of the House Small Business Committee including myself are cosponsors of House Resolution 603, which recognized November 25, 2017, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, as "Small Business Saturday."

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, Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for reading,

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