[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18313-18314]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF COY THOMPSON'S PURPLE HEART PINNING CEREMONY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2015

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Purple Heart 
pinning ceremony for United States Army Sergeant Coy Thompson of North 
Carolina's 8th Congressional District. It is an honor to extend these 
remarks today and to thank Sergeant Thompson for his brave and selfless 
service to our nation.
  Sergeant Thompson served in the United States Army during the Vietnam 
War with honor and distinction through his support of ground forces 
during aerial missions. During the Tet Offensive, Sergeant Thompson was 
wounded in the line of duty after being hit with fragments of shrapnel 
from a near-by explosion. After returning to the United States, 
Sergeant Thompson was awarded with the Air Medal for his actions in 
support of operations against the enemy. Later, Sergeant Thompson was 
awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars, as well as the Purple Heart.
  On Sunday, November 8, 2015, a special ceremony was held at the 
Enochville Church of God in Kannapolis, North Carolina to celebrate 
Sergeant Thompson and recognize him for his valor and service to our 
nation. Sergeant Thompson was surrounded by family and friends who 
gathered to witness this special ceremony in which he was pinned with 
his many medals. Fellow service members were also present and told 
stories of Sergeant Thompson's courage and love for our country.
  I am overjoyed that the Marine Corps League of Cabarrus County and 
his community recognized Sergeant Thompson for his valiant actions 
during the Vietnam War. The men and women in uniform who have answered 
the call to defend our nation represent

[[Page 18314]]

the best our country has to offer and they deserve our continued 
admiration. Events like this special ceremony serve as a reminder that 
we must never take their service and sacrifice for granted, and that we 
as a nation must continually find ways to recognize these heroic 
patriots for their unparalleled dedication to our freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in once again commemorating this 
very special occasion, and to thank United States Army Sergeant Coy 
Thompson for his service and dedication to our country.

                          ____________________