Senate Resolution 53

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE DISTINGUISHED AND HONORABLE SERVICE OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT MR. A.C. MCKENZIE, SR., OF EDWARDS, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Mr. A.C. McKenzie, Sr., is a Purple Heart recipient who served bravely and honorably during World War II by laying his life on the line daily to protect this great nation and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, a native of Raymond, Mississippi, a young A.C. McKenzie was born December 7, 1924, to the late Mr. Rueben McKenzie and Mrs. Edith Green McKenzie, with 12 siblings; and

WHEREAS, his parents and family raised A.C. to value education and to live as a man of valor with support from Midway and Mount Moriah schools, and his spiritual foundation was solidified at Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he still remains a devout member as well as a faithful Deacon; and

WHEREAS, at the tender age of 12, a young A.C. was forced to quickly mature when his mother passed away and he realized his father needed assistance with his younger siblings, so A.C. stepped up to help his father care for his younger siblings until he left home at the age of 18 to protect and serve our country; and

WHEREAS, after taking the oath of the United States Army on October 20, 1943, at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, Mr. McKenzie completed basic training and was subsequently transferred to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, for 30 consecutive days of maneuver training before being dispatched from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on July 1, 1944, with the 438th Quartermaster Gas Supply Company and arrived in France two weeks later; and

WHEREAS, during actual combat from September 1944 to May 1945, Mr. McKenzie's company was attacked during a routine operation on the Ramagen Bridge and a bomb struck the artillery truck he was driving and killed several members of his squadron and injured countless others. A.C. was unaware of the ensuing events of the attack until he awakened at the Army General Hospital in Germany, and was informed that he was knocked unconscious by the forceful impact of the explosion and endured a severe wound when struck by the bomb's flying shrapnel; and

WHEREAS, he remained in Germany in the hospital until July 1946, when he was honorably discharged as a Buck Sergeant from military service as a result of his injury and returned to Fort Bragg on August 2, 1946, a decorated war veteran who had advanced three ranks during his two years of active duty action; and

WHEREAS, upon returning home, Mr. McKenzie once again helped his father with his siblings and on the family farm; and

WHEREAS, soon after his return, Mr. McKenzie met the love of his life, Edna Ruth Stokes, and the couple married on November 22, 1947, and they journeyed on to build a lifetime of memories to be shared with the fruitful addition of 13 children. Mrs. McKenzie passed away and joined the company of angels in 1994; and

WHEREAS, after many of his children reached adulthood, Mr. McKenzie began working with Anderson Tully and later with International Paper Company before assuming employment with People and Green Construction Company, where he earned an apprenticeship in concrete finishing, and also worked on the Interstate 20 highway project from Jackson to Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, at 90-plus years of age, this war hero, father, grandfather and great-grandfather still maintains a vibrant and active lifestyle gardening and tending to his livestock, but most importantly cherishing the moments shared with his children, grandchildren, siblings and friends; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McKenzie's legacy is a strong and free America, and for this and for a lifetime of selfless service to his family, community and nation, a grateful state thanks him:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the distinguished and selfless service of World War II Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Mr. A.C. McKenzie, Sr., of Edwards, Mississippi, and thank him for his bravery and service to the United States of America.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Mr. A.C. McKenzie, Sr., and his family, and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.