Major Homer L. Pease Post Office

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my support for H.R. 6621, a bill to designate the post office at 530 East Main Street in Johnson City, Tennessee, as the ``Major Homer L. Pease Post Office.''

A native of Johnson City, Major Homer Pease lived one of the most interesting lives I've ever seen. Major Pease first tried to join the Marine Corps in 1942 at age 13 but was turned away; so, he convinced a stranger to act as his father at the Army recruiting office instead.

After he successfully joined the Army, he then completed basic training and became a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, landing at Normandy on D-Day. He was wounded shortly after but later rejoined his unit fighting in the Ardennes Forest, the Battle of the Bulge and Berchtesgaden. When he was wounded again, the Army discovered how old he was and sent him home at 15.

He was awarded a bronze star and a Purple Heart for his service and returned home to complete high school. However, on his 16th birthday, he was again called to serve, making it as far as Fort Bragg before the Army sent him home once more. But his commitment to his country wasn't done there. He served in ROTC in high school, and at ETSU, before receiving his commission in the National Guard after college.

Even then, he still felt a calling to serve his country and later became a U.S. Army Ranger at age 36, arriving in Vietnam in March 1966. Unfortunately, on November 19 of that year, while leading a ground combat operation, Homer Pease fell on the battlefield. For the bravery he displayed, he was awarded the Silver Star, another Purple Heart and was promoted to Major.

A picture of heroism, we can all recognize Major Pease's contributions to our country and naming this Post Office in honor of his patriotism is one way to ensure his legacy endures. I urge support for this legislation.

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