Command Sergeant Major Lawrence E. `rabbit' Kennedy Post Office Building

Floor Speech

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Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 207, renaming the post office in Amory, Mississippi, for Command Sergeant Major Lawrence E. ``Rabbit'' Kennedy. Rabbit is an American hero, and I am proud to sponsor this legislation in his honor.

Rabbit enlisted in the United States Army in October of 1940. To do so, he walked for 2 days from his hometown of Smithville to Tupelo. Rabbit served in World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war over the course of 35 years in the United States Army. There were not a lot of three-war veterans in our lifetimes, and he was a true hero. I am proud to have known him personally.

Rabbit's accounts of World War II battles are features of the 2014 book ``Last Eyewitnesses, World War II Memories: D-Day to 70th Anniversary.'' He fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he spent 9 days in a foxhole next to a dead German soldier.

Command Sergeant Major Kennedy led the Army's 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam, and a photo of his leading his men into combat was featured on the cover of Life Magazine.

During his career in the United States Army, Rabbit Kennedy earned four Legions of Merit, four Bronze Stars, participated in 506 airborne jumps, and retired as one of the most decorated soldiers in the history of the United States Army.

In 2017, Rabbit Kennedy was commended by the Mississippi legislature in House Concurrent Resolution 51. He was also the first enlisted man inducted into the Hall of Fame at the United States Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Rabbit Kennedy continued to serve local veterans throughout his life, which is where I met him. He never quit helping veterans, even after he got out after his 35 years of military service.

Rabbit Kennedy is regarded as a community leader and a true American hero. On July 20, 2017, he went to be with the Lord and will always be locally remembered as a patriot and a member of the Greatest Generation.

It is a true and lasting honor to remember the service of Rabbit Kennedy. I just have to say again, he was an amazing man who served this country in three wars, but he always had time for everyone, and he always had time for a veteran in need and was always helping.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York.

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