[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 16 (Friday, January 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND MILITARY SERVICE OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN JOHN 
                            ROY SHANNON, JR.

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                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 25, 2019

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life and military service of World War II Veteran John Roy Shannon, 
Jr. Mr. Shannon has always placed God and family first in his life, 
offering friendship and brotherly love to all those who crossed his 
path.
  Mr. Shannon was born on November 4, 1918, in Quitman, Mississippi. 
His father, a World War I Veteran, met and married the former Ruby 
Olivia Harper. They resided in Quitman, Mississippi, eventually moving 
to Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Shannon had three siblings; Joyce Mitchell, 
Mary Ann McWaters, and Harper Shannon.
  In 1938, Mr. Shannon married, Minnie Catheren Cook, a fellow church 
member and a Jefferson County High School classmate. Mr. Shannon worked 
for Pan Am Oil Company which later became part of American Oil Company. 
From July 1943 until November 1945, Mr. Shannon answered the call to 
serve our great nation in the U.S. Army. Stationed at the Iceland Base 
Command, Mr. Shannon rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant receiving the 
Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle eastern Campaign medal, and 
the World War II Victory Medal in recognition of his distinguished 
military service.
  Upon Mr. Shannon's return from military service, the family grew to 
include four sons; Harold, Ralph, Roy, and Sam Shannon. Roy Shannon, 
his third-born son, recently said his father was proud to serve our 
nation during World War II. ``Dad said America called and he 
answered,'' Roy Shannon said. ``He inspired three of us boys to follow 
in his footsteps. Harold, Ralph, and I are all U.S. Military 
Veterans.''
  Throughout his life and to this day, Mr. Shannon set an example for 
his children to follow. Mr. Shannon, a lifelong Christian, was an 
active member of Huffman Baptist Church in Birmingham, an Adult Sunday 
School Class teacher for over 20 years and was chosen to be a lifetime 
deacon of the church. ``My father practiced what he believed,'' Roy 
Shannon said. ``He believed in God and country and he instilled that in 
us.''
  Sam Shannon, Mr. Shannon's youngest son, said that he was lucky to 
have a father who was so devoted to God and family. ``At the time, we 
did not realize how fortunate we were,'' Sam said. ``He made it his 
main mission to be a good father and husband. He made sure we were fed, 
clothed, and housed and above all--loved.''
  Harold Shannon said his father is proud to be a veteran. ``Being away 
from our family was difficult for dad because while he was serving, he 
missed the birth of one of my brothers,'' Harold said. ``Even so, our 
father was very, very proud to be a veteran. To this day, he always 
wears his World War II cap.'' Additionally, Harold said that Mr. 
Shannon was always a loving and caring father. ``He worked day and 
night to take care of us. I cannot recall him ever raising his voice. 
He has the patience of Job. He is still an example for all of us to 
follow. We're so proud of him.''
  Mr. Shannon was married to Catheren Cook for 72 years until her death 
in 2010. After her passing, he became a resident of the Wesley Gardens 
Retirement Community in Montgomery, Alabama. Roy Shannon said his 
father is in great health which has the whole family counting their 
blessings daily.
  Mr. Shannon is an American patriot who served our great nation and 
continues to set an example for others to follow. We wish him many more 
years of good health.

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