Political Quotes

“today I would like to recognize some of Alabama's fallen soldiers who have paid freedom's high cost and the families who still grieve their absence. You know, it is estimated that more than 81,000 American soldiers who gave their lives for our country remain unidentified--unidentified--since World War I. For nearly 80 years, this was the case for Alabama's own Mess Attendant First Class Johnnie Laurie of Bessemer, AL. Johnnie was very active at the Red Mountain Baptist Church teaching both Sunday school and Baptist young people's union classes. He graduated from Dunbar High School, where he competed in basketball and high jumping in track. In 1940, Johnnie joined the U.S. Navy and was later assigned to serve aboard the USS Oklahoma. He was aboard the ship on the fateful day of December 7, 1941, when our country was attacked by Japanese aircraft. Unfortunately, Johnnie was one of the 2,403 Americans who died at Pearl Harbor that day. He was awarded several medals posthumously, including a Purple Heart for paying the ultimate sacrifice. Out of the 429 crewmen aboard the ship, the Central Identification Laboratory was only able to identify 35 of the 429. This mystery seemed like it would never be solved. But in July 2019, Johnnie Laurie's remains were identified, and he was finally able to return to his home State of Alabama to receive a proper hero's welcome. He is now buried at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.…”