[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 189 (Friday, November 30, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MAJOR HOMER L. PEASE POST OFFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID P. ROE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 30, 2018

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity 
to express my support for H.R. 6621, a bill to designate the post 
office at 530 East Main Street in Johnson City, Tennessee, as the 
``Major Homer L. Pease Post Office.''
  A native of Johnson City, Major Homer Pease lived one of the most 
interesting lives I've ever seen. Major Pease first tried to join the 
Marine Corps in 1942 at age 13 but was turned away; so, he convinced a 
stranger to act as his father at the Army recruiting office instead.
  After he successfully joined the Army, he then completed basic 
training and became a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, landing at 
Normandy on D-Day. He was wounded shortly after but later rejoined his 
unit fighting in the Ardennes Forest, the Battle of the Bulge and 
Berchtesgaden. When he was wounded again, the Army discovered how old 
he was and sent him home at 15.
  He was awarded a bronze star and a Purple Heart for his service and 
returned home to complete high school. However, on his 16th birthday, 
he was again called to serve, making it as far as Fort Bragg before the 
Army sent him home once more. But his commitment to his country wasn't 
done there. He served in ROTC in high school, and at ETSU, before 
receiving his commission in the National Guard after college.
  Even then, he still felt a calling to serve his country and later 
became a U.S. Army Ranger at age 36, arriving in Vietnam in March 1966. 
Unfortunately, on November 19 of that year, while leading a ground 
combat operation, Homer Pease fell on the battlefield. For the bravery 
he displayed, he was awarded the Silver Star, another Purple Heart and 
was promoted to Major.
  A picture of heroism, we can all recognize Major Pease's 
contributions to our country and naming this Post Office in honor of 
his patriotism is one way to ensure his legacy endures. I urge support 
for this legislation.

                          ____________________