Recognizing Colonel Dane W. Powell

Floor Speech

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Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today I recognize Colonel Dane W. Powell of the Mississippi Army National Guard for his extraordinary dedication and service to our Nation. Colonel Powell will soon retire from an impressive 33-year career.

Colonel Powell, a lifelong Mississippian, joined the Mississippi Army National Guard in 1986 after his graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is currently serving as the State Army Aviation Officer at Joint Force Headquarters for the Mississippi Army National Guard. His military service took him all around the world to areas including South Korea, Japan, St. Croix, Columbia, Barbados, and Uzbekistan. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004 to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom II. During his career, Colonel Powell received many accolades for his outstanding service, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

After retirement, Colonel Powell will continue his passion for flying as a pilot for PHI Air Medical and will fly for AirCare through the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He will wed his fiancee Lea Pentecost and looks forward to spending time with his children, London Addison Powell, Dane Whitney Powell II, Douglas Alexander Pentecost, and Carson Reese Pentecost.

On behalf of a grateful Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of a fellow Mississippian, Colonel Dane W. Powell. I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.

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