Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the life of Navy Signalman Kenneth Gene Hamilton of Lamesa, Texas, who turned 94 on 5 November 2020. Kenneth was born in 1926 in Lamesa, Texas, to Marvin and Lona Hamilton. He has served a life of dedicated service, including his enlistment in the United States Navy on his 17th birthday. Since he was not yet 18, Kenneth was required to provide written parental permission in order to enlist. This selfless act was indicative of his passion and unwavering desire to serve his country. Shortly after enlisting, a troop train carried Kenneth to basic naval training at Camp Wallace in Galveston County, Texas. After boot camp, Kenneth was transferred to a base near the Chesapeake Bay to complete advanced individual training as a signalman. Upon completion of this training, he received his ship assignment and traveled to San Francisco to join the rest of his crew. Kenneth was assigned to a Merchant Marine ship that had a contingent of naval personnel known as the ``armed guard'' on board. This group included weapons personnel and signal personnel. This ship provided logistic support to other vessels in the Pacific theater and assisted in carrying ammunition. In 1946, Kenneth completed his enlistment and, along with millions of other World War II veterans, he returned home to raise a family.…”