MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Holland

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR KENNETH JOE HESTER UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Kenneth Joe Hester has retired from the military with over 40 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Hester, the son of Gladys and Walter Hester of Nettleton, Mississippi, attended Nettleton High School; and

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Hester began his military career in 1957, when he enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard's Company D, 1st Battalion, 198th Armor in Nettleton; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as Unit Administrator in Nettleton, Command Sergeant Major Kenneth Joe Hester served as section sergeant, platoon sergeant and first sergeant; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Command Sergeant Major Kenneth Joe Hester was appointed the battalion command sergeant major for the 1st Battalion, 198th Armor in Amory, Mississippi, and served in that position until his 1987 promotion to brigade command sergeant major for the 155th Armored Brigade in Tupelo, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Kenneth Joe Hester deployed with the 155th during the 1990 mobilization for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and was instrumental in the brigade's training success at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Irwin, California; and

WHEREAS, during his military career, Command Sergeant Major Hester received numerous awards and decorations including: the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oakleaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oakleaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with Star, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 1 Silver Cluster, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 Hourglasses for Longevity and an M for Mobilization, the Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, a Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Four Awards, the Humanitarian Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal; and

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Hester is an active member of his community and regularly attends the Nettleton United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Hester has been lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his wife, Marolyn; their daughter, Kim; and their two grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend such outstanding Mississippians as Command Sergeant Major Hester for their faithful service to the people of Mississippi and the United States:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Command Sergeant Major Kenneth Joe Hester upon his retirement and extend to him our heartiest wishes for happiness, peace and joy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Command Sergeant Major Hester and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.