[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4526-4527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING REID S. JONES

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
the Commonwealth's finest, the late Mr. Reid S. Jones. A native of 
Pulaski County, KY, Reid was a prime example of a man who was a true 
American hero and who valued his faith, his family, and his community.
  A rich tradition of business success and pride in hard work and 
achievement always seemed prevalent throughout the history of Reid's 
family, so it came as no surprise when Reid began to exhibit early 
signs of entrepreneurial instincts. As a young boy, members of his 
hometown witnessed Reid leading a small goat down a road from the 
country store operated by his parents to a local family farm as he 
tried to make a sale. It was this ambition and drive that made Reid S. 
Jones a leader, a war hero, and a guiding force for all who knew him.
  Reid, who passed away on April 15, 2005, joined the U.S. Army in 1944 
at a crucial point during World War II. Eighteen years old, Reid felt a 
strong desire to serve and protect his country as well as to defend the 
rights and freedoms of others. He courageously fought in the Battle of 
the Bulge, one of the deadliest battle for American forces of the war. 
Reid's leadership got him promoted to the rank of staff sergeant, and 
he remained in Germany for a short time after the war to help begin the 
reconstruction process.
  After returning home from the war to his new bride Elva Sears, Reid 
received a bachelor's degree from Union College in Barbourville, KY. He 
decided to further his dedication for educational excellence and became 
a history teacher, principal, and basketball coach for the Pulaski 
County and Somerset City school systems. His firm yet compassionate 
character made Reid well-respected by his peers and fondly remembered 
by his former students. Later in the 1960s he became a district sales 
manager for the Fram Corporation, an automotive product brand best 
known for their oil filters. His eye for detail and strong ambition to 
get things done earned him frequent recognition for exceeding sales 
quotas and helped him play an instrumental role in placing Fram 
products in Wal-Marts across the southeastern United States.
  Reid's ``jack of all trades'' ability eventually led him to open his 
own automotive businesses, as well as become a 32nd-degree Mason, a 
member of the Oleika Shriners Temple, and the board of directors of the 
First United Methodist Church.
  In addition to serving his community through business and educational 
work, Reid deeply cherished the relationships he had with his friends 
and family. He has often been remembered through the strong friendships 
he formed with members of the Somerset community, as he met daily with 
friends at his automotive businesses for coffee and southern 
storytelling. His dedication to public service and education, led his 
wife, along with his daughter, Dr. Sonya Jones, to establish The Jones 
Educational Foundation, to provide scholarships and assistance for 
people of south-central Kentucky and beyond who seek greater education 
and who show effort and ability.
  There is no doubt that because of Reid's character, his dedication to 
family and friends, and his contributions to higher education and the 
business

[[Page 4527]]

community, that his town, the Commonwealth, and the country have been 
forever changed for the better.
  The Commonwealth Journal recently published an article about Mr. Reid 
S. Jones and a contribution that his daughter made to the Jones 
Educational Foundation on behalf of his dear friend, the late James 
Eastham. I ask unanimous consent that the full article be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             [From the Commonwealth Journal, Jan. 30, 2011]

   Foundation launches Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund With Contribution 
                     Honoring James `Onion' Eastham

       The Jones Educational Foundation Inc., a 501(c)3 not-for-
     profit corporation based in Somerset, has launched the Reid 
     S. Jones Memorial Fund with a $1,000 contribution made by Dr. 
     Sonya Jones honoring the late James Arthur ``Onion'' Eastham.
       According to Dr. Jones, president and CEO of The Jones 
     Foundation, the donation is intended to pay tribute to the 
     friendship between James ``Onion'' Eastham, a man who was 
     regarded highly in the Somerset community, and her father.
       Further, the fund is meant to honor veterans from all the 
     wars in which the United States has fought. The initial 
     donation honors veterans who served in the European and 
     Pacific theaters of World War II.
       ``I had been thinking about the Foundation setting up a 
     fund for veterans in Dad's name ever since I made a donation 
     in his memory to help restore the Soldiers and Sailors 
     Memorial building at Union College,'' Dr. Jones said.
       Reid Jones graduated from Union in 1989. He went on to do 
     graduate work in education at Eastern Kentucky University.
       ``When Mr. Eastham passed away in late December, I knew it 
     was time,'' Dr. Jones added. ``Dad thought so much of his 
     friend that I felt he would want me to do something special 
     to honor Onion's memory.''
       Reid Sievers Jones (April 24, 1926 to April 15, 2005) 
     entered the U.S. Army at a crucial point in the history of 
     World War II. He was stationed in Germany, and he fought in 
     the Battle of the Bulge. He was a survivor in what has been 
     called ``one of the bloodiest battles'' of World War II.
       Conducted in the dense mountainous region of Belgium, the 
     Battle of the Bulge was Adolf Hitler's last major offensive 
     against the Allies. The battle ran from Dec. 16, 1944, until 
     Jan. 25, 1945.
       When he enlisted in the Army as a private, Reid Jones was 
     18 years of age. He married Elva Sears on Dec. 30, 1944, 
     shortly before shipping out to the European front. He was 
     promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and remained in 
     Germany for a short time after the war to help begin the 
     process of reconstruction.
       James ``Onion'' Eastham (Sept. 22, 1923, to Dec. 28, 2010) 
     served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater where he was awarded 
     two bronze stars for duty at and during the Luzon and 
     Southern Philippine campaigns. He also received the 
     Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a bronze star for duty 
     involving combat with the enemy.
       Reid Jones and Onion Eastham were ``two of a kind,'' said 
     Jimmy Eastham, son of the former Somerset City Council member 
     who served as staff sergeant and crew chief aboard a B-25 
     bomber in the United States Marine Corp.
       Jones and Eastham both were salesmen after the war. Jones 
     worked for many years for Fram Corp. and Eastham for the 
     Morton Salt Co. The two men liked to get together and engage 
     in the high art of Southern storytelling. Both formed strong 
     friendships with other men in the Somerset community.
       ``Dad and Onion Eastham were part of a group of men who 
     convened initially at Dad's car lot out on East Mt. Vernon 
     Street, then at Dad's automotive parts store on Ogden Street 
     in the building now owned by Dr. Byron Owens,'' Dr. Jones 
     said.
       ``After Dad retired from Fram, he devoted most of his time 
     to the automotive business and our family's business and our 
     family's rental properties,'' Dr. Jones continued.
       ``When Dad closed one automotive parts store housed in the 
     same building with Mother's antiques and collectibles, he and 
     his buddies met for coffee at the Sugar Shack over on the 
     strip,'' she said.
       Meeting for coffee was part of their ``daily routine,'' 
     said Jimmy Eastham.
       From time to time, the group also included Bobby Claunch, 
     Howard Eastham, Ledger Howard, Penny Starnes, Don Stone, Jim 
     Williams and Bob Williams in addition to Reid Jones and Onion 
     Eastham.
       Like his father, Jimmy Eastham served as a member of 
     Somerset City Council. He and the Eastham family have given 
     their enthusiastic endorsement to the Reid S. Memorial Fund 
     with Dr. Jones' cornerstone contribution in memory of James 
     ``Onion'' Eastham.
       ``It is a good idea to establish the fund even if it 
     weren't done in the name of my father,'' Eastham said.
       Both Reid Jones and James Eastham were ``very patriotic,'' 
     according to Virginia Eastham, mother of Jimmy, Lisa (Bandy) 
     and Wayne Eastham.
       When Reid Jones returned from the war, he worked first as a 
     teacher and principal in the Pulaski County and Somerset City 
     school systems. He is remembered, particularly by former 
     students at Shopville High School as a firm teacher who was 
     not afraid to exercise discipline when he thought it was 
     needed.
       Later, in the 1960s, he joined Fram Corp., based in 
     Providence, R.I., as a district sales manager. Frequently, he 
     was recognized for exceeding sales quotas. He was 
     instrumental in placing Fram products in Wal-Marts across the 
     southeastern United States.
       Reid Jones was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Oleika 
     Shriners Temple in Lexington. He served on the board of 
     directors of First United Methodist Church.
       In addition to being an influential member of Somerset City 
     Council, James ``Onion'' Eastham was a member of the Somerset 
     Masonic Lodge #111 and a long-standing member of the Kiwanis 
     Club. He was also a member of First Baptist Church where he 
     taught Sunday school and served as chair of a building 
     committee for the church's new sanctuary.
       As a member of Somerset City Council from 1964 to 1982, 
     Eastham played an active role in helping to establish 
     Somerset Community College and finding a location for what is 
     now Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. He considered running 
     for mayor, but his job as a regional salesman for Morton Salt 
     Co. created time constraints that caused him not to seek 
     office.
       According to Clarence Love, city clerk during the years 
     Eastham served on council, ``he was very conscientious.'' In 
     Love's opinion, Eastham was an ``excellent councilman.''
       Jimmy Eastham said he thought his father most likely would 
     be remembered most for ``standing for what he believed in.''
       The Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund was established, first and 
     foremost, to help veterans with educational issues.
       ``A veteran might return from Afghanistan ready to go to 
     law school and need some assistance,'' Dr. Jones said. ``Or, 
     a veteran might return and want to become a law enforcement 
     officer or a mechanic.''
       As interest on the fund grows, money will be awarded to 
     veterans who demonstrate great potential for success in 
     professional and vocational arenas.
       Primarily, the Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund intends to honor 
     ``the warrior spirit,'' Dr. Jones said, ``the spirit of 
     courage and bravery'' that has helped keep the United States 
     free.
       The Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund is now open for tax-
     deductible contributions. Interested parties may e-mail Dr. 
     Jones at: [email protected] or phone her at 606-
     875-2967.

                          ____________________