[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING MASTER SERGEANT JAMES M. SHINARD, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 14, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkably dedicated and ambitious Army veteran, who has over 28 years 
of service to his country, Master Sergeant James M. Shinard, Sr.
  Master Sergeant Shinard was born December 24, 1963 in Bolton, MS. He 
began his career in the armed forces in July 1985. Advancing through a 
number of military schools of training, Master Sergeant Shinard quickly 
advanced in rank from student to Squad Leader by January 1986. While 
serving as Team Leader, he was a part of the 1/17 Infantry Battalion 2 
ID Camp Casey in Korea. As a Squad Leader, he was a part of the 155th 
Infantry Brigade Mississippi during Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991 and 
87th Division Camp Shelby, Mississippi as a soldier during Iraqi 
Freedom from 2003 to 2010.
  In addition to his active duty service with the Army, Master Sergeant 
Shinard performed with the Mississippi Army National Guard 155th 
Brigade (Mechanized) in Brookhaven, MS and with the United States Army 
Reserve as Observer Controller with the 3/346 Regt Battalion, 87th 
Division at Camp Shelby Mississippi, cumulatively from 1989 to 2003.
  Throughout his service, he has been promoted four times to his 
current rank as Master Sergeant, promoted April 15, 2009 in the Army 
Reserve.
  Throughout his 28 years of service, Master Sergeant Shinard has 
received numerous decorations and badges. Among those received are; the 
Humanitarian Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Global War on 
Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with 
Bronze Service Star), and Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with ``M'' Device 
and 20-Year Silver Hourglass). His present assignment is Mobilization/
Readiness NCO, 412 Theater Engineer Command (TPU) in Vicksburg, MS. 
Currently, Master Sergeant Shinard is also pursuing an educational 
degree at Belhaven University, which he plans to complete in June 2014.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Master 
Sergeant James M. Shinard, Sr. for his unwavering dedication and 
service as a respected veteran for his family, local community, and 
country.

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