[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 102 (Thursday, June 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER STAFF SERGEANT (SSG) 
                       LARRY RICHARD ARNOLD, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I am humbled to rise today in 
memory of Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Larry Richard Arnold, Sr. who paid 
the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on June 11, 2005, 
during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Arnold was killed when his armored 
personnel carrier was hit by an improvised explosive device in Owesat 
Village, Iraq. Sergeant (SGT) Terrance D. Lee, Sr. was also killed.
  SSG Arnold was assigned to the 150th Combat Engineer Battalion, 155th 
Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard, Lucedale, 
Mississippi.
  According to the Associated Press article, 200 people packed a 
Baptist church where the funeral service was held. Reverend Donnie 
Boutwell, pastor of Lee's Chapel No. 1 Baptist Church in Carriere, 
spoke about SSG Arnold's service.
  ``This is not a final respect for this man,'' Rev. Boutwell said. 
``For every time a young child stands in the schoolroom and covers his 
heart and pledges allegiance to the flag, we continue to show our 
respect for him. Every time we stand at a ballgame and `The Star 
Spangled Banner' is played, we continue to show our respect for Larry 
and all the other soldiers.''
  Mississippi Army National Guard Brigadier General (BG) Ben Gaston 
also offered his thoughts during the funeral service.
  ``He could have easily walked away and said, `I've done that. I've 
done my time,' '' said BG Gaston. ``Larry didn't do that. He was a 
mature NCO the younger soldiers looked up to.''
  During the service, BG Gaston presented SSG Arnold's family with the 
Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Mississippi Medal of Valor. SSG 
Arnold is buried at Mill Creek Cemetery in Pearl River County.
  SSG Arnold is survived by his mother, Betty Mackey; his wife, 
Melinda; sons; Larry, Robert, and Howard Arnold; siblings Garry Arnold, 
Peggy Alford, Beverly Hicks, Janet Brandes, Joann Arnold, and Debbie 
Arnold; and grandchildren Anthony and Heather Arnold.
  SSG Arnold died while fighting to protect the freedoms we all enjoy

                          ____________________