[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15344]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING FIRST LIEUTENANT VERNELLA WELLS FOR HER DEDICATION AND 
                       COMMITMENT TO THIS COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a 
remarkable young woman, Lieutenant Vernella N. Wells of Clarksdale, 
Mississippi. Born to the proud parents of Troy and Arcola Holmes, Wells 
has dedicated her life to being a beacon of service to her community 
and country.
  First Lieutenant Wells began her military career in August 2003 as a 
Private First Class in the Mississippi Army National Guard, assigned to 
the 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team in Tupelo, Mississippi. Immediately 
after graduating high school, she was sent to Basic Training followed 
by Advanced Individual Training in Fort Lee, Virginia, before serving 
in Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2004-January 2006.
  Upon returning from Iraq, she enrolled at the University of 
Mississippi and joined their Army ROTC program, where she received a 
Bachelor's of Science degree in Exercise Science.
  In 2010, Wells was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 
Mississippi Army National Guard and is currently assigned to the 
Adjutant General's Branch, where she is the Strength Manager and 
Company Executive Officer for the 155th Brigade Combat Team of Tupelo, 
Mississippi.
  She is responsible for the overall readiness of the Comprehensive 
Soldier Fitness Program in North Mississippi. Wells is also 
spearheading the development of a program that is designed to bring 
local community resources and volunteers in to help enrich the lives of 
the Citizen Soldiers on and off duty.
  In addition to commitment towards her country, Wells is also very 
active in her community. Her humanitarian work has included; 
volunteering at the Veterans Administration Nursing Home, Baptist 
Memorial HealthPlex, Baptist Memorial Out-Patient Physical Therapy 
Clinic, United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County Food Pantry, the Special 
Olympics, Habitat for Humanity fundraising, and just recently as team 
leader for the ``Big Event'' community wide volunteer project. In 
addition, Wells is currently pursuing a MBA with a concentration in 
Healthcare Administration.
  Lieutenant Wells has also garnered multiple awards and decorations 
from her tireless efforts in the National Guard. Some of these honors 
include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good 
Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal 
with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces 
Reserve Medal with ``M'' Device Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service 
Ribbon, Mississippi Medal of Efficiency, Mississippi War Medal, and the 
Mississippi Longevity Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster).
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 1st 
Lieutenant Vernella N. Wells for her dedication and commitment to this 
nation and her community.

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