House Resolution 48

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. WILLIAM JARRELL, A WORLD WAR II NAVY VETERAN, UPON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, Mr. William Jarrell, a vibrant member of the Greatest Generation and a World War II Navy veteran, is being honored upon the monumental occasion and celebration of his 100th birthday; and

WHEREAS, a resident of Escatawpa, Mississippi, which is located in south Mississippi, Mr. Jarrell was born in 1924, and grew up in the Great Depression and was reared in love, along with his three younger deceased sisters; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jarrell, at the age of 18, enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and after receiving basic training in San Diego, he was assigned as a firefighter on the brand new USS Independence, which was a light aircraft carrier that shot down Japanese aircrafts in the Pacific Ocean; and

WHEREAS, while Mr. Jarrell served this great country on the USS Independence, the ship was struck by a torpedo during a counterattack on November 20, 1943, in which 17 of his shipmates were killed, but due to his courageous actions he was able to help save many lives on the ship; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jarrell was able to return home to Mississippi during a two-week break at which time he married before returning for his second launch of service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jarell, during his second launch, participated in night carrier operations in which the USS Independence's attacks on the Philippines with the Pacific fleet would help dismantle the Japanese Navy; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jarell served five and a half years in the military, and after his service, he planted roots in George County, Mississippi, with his family, which included his late wife, who passed away in 2014, Rosie Mae, and their children: Peggy, Dennie, Carol, Patsy, Anthony, Rhonda, Patricia and Rickie; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jarell credits staying busy and working as the keys to his longevity, and notably, he learned his strong work ethic from his father, who he celebrates as a good worker who started each day at 4:00 a.m., and as such, he continues to carry out his father's staunch work ethic throughout his favored life; and

WHEREAS, in addition to working and staying busy, Mr. Jarrell also credits living a good life and eating right as the other keys to his longevity, and as such, he still grows and cans his own crops, tomatoes being his favorite, and is able to enjoy as well as share the fruits of his labor throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jarell, in addition to gardening, builds his own specialty yard furniture and receives great joy by going to his workshop and building swings, chairs, benches and other yard furniture without any plans, and notably, he built over 100 pieces of furniture in one year, while in his late 90s, which is a beautiful testament of his innate building skills and continued ability to execute his crafts; and

WHEREAS, in addition to still being active, Mr. Jarell is blessed to have his cognitive abilities and is treasured by his family and many others who honor and respect him as he shares stories of his rich life and service to this great country; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor a special Mississippi centenarian upon the celebration of his 100th birthday such as Mr. William Jarrell whose contributions through his selfless military service in World War II has helped to ensure that freedom will continue to ring, and thus his service to this great nation will be forever treasured for generations to come:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. William Jarrell upon the celebration of his 100th birthday as well upon his valiant military service during World War II, and wish him many more years of peace, health and longevity.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. William Jarrell and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.