[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING LONNIE THOMPSON ON HIS RETIREMENT

  (Mr. FRY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of my friend, 
Lonnie Thompson, of Florence, South Carolina, on his retirement after 
45 years of service to SOPAKCO.
  While SOPAKCO might not seem like a household brand, this incredible 
company has played a critical role in supporting our men and women in 
uniform, dating back to World War II. They have become an institution 
in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and a leading provider of MREs 
to the Department of War.
  Lonnie is a proven leader in our community and in the shelf-stable 
food industry. He helped FEMA develop a civilian version of the MRE, 
which has been utilized for disaster relief purposes for more than a 
decade. Earlier this year, he was named as one of the most influential 
leaders of the Pee Dee.
  Prior to joining SOPAKCO, Lonnie proudly served in the U.S. Army and 
National Guard for 17 years, where he honed his leadership and 
organizational skills as a tank commander.
  Lonnie has two children, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, 
and was married to the love of his life, the late Dorothy ``Dot'' 
Thompson, for 49 years.
  I am grateful for Lonnie's service to our community, State, and 
country, and for his unwavering support of our men and women in 
uniform. I wish him well in his retirement.

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