It was an honor to attend the ribbon cutting for Aurora Flight Sciences in the Golden Triangle, and I was proud to join Rep. Michael Guest, Senator Roger Wicker, and Governor Tate Reeves to celebrate the company's continued growth and investment in Mississippi. What began at Mississippi State University more than 20 years ago has grown into one of the world's leading aerospace companies, supporting our national defense and creating new opportunities right here in Mississippi.

Mississippi has the greatest workforce in the nation, and I am proud to see companies like Aurora recognize the talent of our people and continue investing in our state. This growth is a testament to our hardworking workforce, strong state leadership, and dedicated local leaders.

We want our children to stay in Mississippi, build their futures here, and have access to good-paying jobs and opportunities to succeed. Aurora is helping make that possible by investing in the next generation of workers and partnering with universities and community colleges to prepare young Mississippians for careers in advanced manufacturing and aerospace.

Aurora is doing its part to strengthen our military, our state, and most importantly, our people. I am grateful to Aurora's leadership and team members for their hard work and dedication, which have helped drive the company's tremendous growth and position Mississippi as a leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. 

I recently had the opportunity to tour Hyperion Technology Group's facility to see firsthand demonstrations of the technology systems they design and build. I appreciated meeting with members of Hyperion's leadership and engineering teams and learning more about their work.

Hyperion is a Mississippi-based, employee-owned company specializing in gunshot and artillery detection, counter-UAS detection, infrasound sensors, and advanced industrial automation for defense and commercial applications. Their work is critical to ensuring our men and women in uniform have the tools they need to defend our nation and protect Americans on the home front.

Mississippi plays an important role in our national defense, and I am proud of Hyperion's commitment to this mission. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue fighting for legislation that supports our warfighters and the companies that provide them with the tools they need to succeed.

Military service is an honor and a privilege. U.S. Army Veteran Terry Tolar knows this all too well. He has distinguished himself in service to our great nation – a devotion that continues to this day.

Terry graduated from Booneville High School in 1974. Life's journey would begin with one year at Northeast Mississippi Community College, formerly Northeast Mississippi Junior College. In 1975, Terry decided to pursue a career in the U.S. Army, embarking on a mission that would last 20 years. "Military service had always appealed to me," Terry said. "I wanted to serve since I was a kid. We have a long history of military service in our family, dating back to the Civil War."

Military service was a big change for Terry, but it wasn't the only path he chose that year. In 1976, Terry married his high school sweetheart of four years, Phyllis, just before he left for Panama. Phyllis returned home to graduate from Booneville High School. "Military service took me to Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Knox, Kentucky, Panama, Germany twice and Saudi Arabia," Terry said. On October 3, 1990, he was deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Storm. "It was difficult because there were no cell phones or computers to stay connected back home. I got to make one phone call before the air war started," Terry added.

Terry's long and distinguished 20-year military career included numerous awards and citations including the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, but it could be said he is most proud of the work he does for veterans and their families. Terry is a County Veteran Service Officer and is the VFW Post 4877 Commander – a role he has served since 2017. Additionally, Terry is the VFW District 9 Adjutant and VFW Department of Mississippi Senior Vice Commander. "I travel a lot to different VFW posts to support veterans, taking care of vets, their spouses, and their families," Terry said. "I'm very proud to serve my country."

We thank Terry for his outstanding service to our country and his continued commitment to serving those who served. 

It is an honor to nominate outstanding young men and women from Mississippi's First Congressional District to attend one of our nation's prestigious Service Academies. If you are interested in applying for a Service Academy nomination, be sure to submit your application by November 15, 2026.

When you are ready to apply, click HERE to access the Service Academy Nominations Form. A complete checklist of required application materials is available HERE.

For more information or assistance with the application process, please contact our Military Academy Liaison, Melinda Whited, at melinda.whited@mail.house.gov or (662) 687-1525.

I recently met with independent pharmacy owners from across Mississippi's First District to hear directly about the challenges they face and the important role they play in their communities.

Independent pharmacies do much more than fill prescriptions. They provide trusted, personalized care through services such as vaccinations, medication counseling, health screenings, and chronic disease management. In many rural communities, they are often the first point of contact for health care, helping patients receive timely care and stay healthy close to home.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Mississippi Court of Appeals District 1 Judge John Weddle

It was an honor to participate in the annual Reagan Dinner in DeSoto County. Men and women from across the First District and well beyond gathered to recognize and celebrate America's 250th birthday. 

Northern District Highway Commissioner John Caldwell and DeSoto County Supervisor Lee Caldwell

Like President Reagan, I believe that America was founded on individual liberty, limited government, and freedom. These principles have guided our nation for 250 years, and we must continue to defend and uphold them for generations to come.

A strong America is a safe America. President Reagan understood that weakness invites aggression, and peace is secured through strength. That principle remains just as important today. Under President Trump's leadership, we will continue working to keep our nation safe, expand opportunities, and build a stronger future for all Americans.

WTVA News | 08.19.26 | Ribbon cutting marks Aurora Flight's $43 million expansion 

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) - A premier aerospace manufacturing facility has expanded in Lowndes County.

Aurora Flight Sciences held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a 50,000-square-foot expansion at its manufacturing facility in the Golden Triangle.

The expansion represents a $43 million reinvestment in Mississippi. The company started about two decades ago at Mississippi State University and has grown into one of the premier aerospace companies in the world.

Rep. Trent Kelly pointed to local workforce.

"We have a workforce that's the greatest in the nation," Kelly said. "We're open for business. We want to not only bring you here, but we want to grow you here, and give jobs and opportunity to our children."

The Lumber Manufactory Ribbon Cutting

Hyperion Technology Group Tour

Aurora Flight Sciences Ribbon Cutting

Roundtable with North Mississippi Independent Pharmacy Owners