Commemoration of Brigadier General (Retired) Lee R. Reid, Jr's Service to Our Nation

Floor Speech

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Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a superb Soldier and citizen for his tireless commitment to the United States Army, serving our Nation for 31 years, including as the Commandant of the Mississippi Military Academy at Camp Shelby, the largest Reserve Component training site in the United States. After his retirement from the Army National Guard in 1994, Brigadier General Reid continued to serve Mississippians with his position at Pearl River Community College, where he provided education and training for local businesses and industries. Now that Brigadier General Reid is fully retired, I believe it is fitting to recognize his service and dedication to his local community, the State of Mississippi, our Armed Forces, and this great Nation.

Brigadier General Reid's commitment to service enabled him to excel in numerous leadership positions throughout his Army career. He began his career by commissioning in the U.S. Army in 1963 after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Lee was selected as one of the first Platoon Leaders to join the newly reactivated 11th Air Assault Division (Test), in Fort Benning, Georgia. This Air Assault Division was developed to explore the theory and practicality of an alternative means by which the Army Infantry and Aviation conducted future conflicts. Helicopter assault tactics and the equipment required to operate effectively in this role had never been utilized in combat operations, and Brigadier General Reid contributed to this significant revolution in military tactics.

Throughout the rest of his amazing career, Brigadier General Reid commanded Soldiers at every level from platoon through battalion, always placing the needs of his Soldiers and their families first. He also completed numerous demanding Army schools, to include Airborne School, Ranger School, the Special Forces Qualification Course, and the Command and General Staff Course. He distinguished himself as a tactical and technical expert, serving in several overseas training missions to England, Germany, Spain, as well as responding to several State Emergency Operations. In recognition of his achievements, Brigadier General Reid was awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, Mississippi Magnolia Medal, and the Mississippi War Medal.

I join the rest of the Mississippi delegation and our National Guard leaders in my gratitude and appreciation to Brigadier General Reid for his outstanding leadership and unwavering support. This Nation is grateful for his commitment and the personal sacrifices he has made during his time in the Mississippi Army National Guard and his subsequent civilian service to his community.

On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the United States of America, I commend Brigadier General Lee R. Reid Jr and his family for their dedicated support to our Army, our Soldiers, and this Nation. congratulate him on an extremely successful career, his dedication to service, and wish him a fulfilling and restful retirement.

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