House Resolution 69

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE OUTSTANDING AND EXEMPLARY MILITARY SERVICE OF COLONEL KENNETH EUGENE WINDHAM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE.

WHEREAS, Colonel Kenneth Eugene Windham, currently the Deputy Commander of 3rd Personnel Command (3d PERSCOM), is commended for exceptional service spanning more than 40 years with the United States Army Reserve, first as an enlisted soldier and later as a commissioned officer; and

WHEREAS, enlisting in the United States Army in February 1966, Colonel Windham attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was assigned to the 402nd Quartermaster Battalion, Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, rising to the rank of First Sergeant and serving as First Sergeant for six years prior to receiving a direct commission in 1981 as a First Lieutenant, Colonel Windham held numerous key leadership positions in the 365th Supply and Services Battalion; and

WHEREAS, in 1990, Colonel Windham was transferred to the 40th Ordnance Group, where he served as the logistics officer (S-4) before being chosen as the S-4 for the newly activated 3d PERSCOM and later as Chief of Staff; and

WHEREAS, advancing himself in the knowledge of personnel operation management and continuing to rise through the ranks, Colonel Windham was mobilized and deployed in January 2003 into the United States Central Command AOR as Officer in Charge, 3d PERSCOM (Forward) at Camp Doha, Kuwait, where he performed a myriad of tasks and responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, given his final assignment to serve as Deputy Commander of the 3d PERSCOM from May 2004 to June 2006, Colonel Windham has proven himself to be a truly effective leader and top-notch performer and has earned the admiration of his peers, subordinates and superiors; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Windham's performance has served as an example for soldiers at all levels, and he has provided sincere, dedicated and professional leadership to all who knew him, as his integrity, self dedication and commitment is evidenced by his exhaustive list of decorations and badges, including: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Reserve Overseas Service Ribbon; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence in our citizens who are soldiers serving and protecting the freedom of this state and nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the outstanding contributions and exemplary military service of Colonel Kenneth E. Windham upon the occasion of his retirement from the United States Army Reserve and express our most sincere wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

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