[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER SERGEANT FIRST CLASS 
                      (SFC) JOHNNY ROOSEVELT POLK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Sergeant First Class (SFC) Johnny Roosevelt Polk who paid the ultimate 
sacrifice while defending our great nation on July 25, 2009, during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. SFC Polk died from wounds he sustained when 
his vehicle was struck by an anti-tank grenade on July 23 in Kirkuk, 
Iraq.
  SFC Polk was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery 
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, 
Texas. This was the third deployment of his 17-years spent in service.
  According to the Associated Press, SFC Polk, a Gulfport native, was 
described as a fine leader who knew how to bring out the best in 
others.
  SFC Polk attended Harrison Central High School where he was a member 
of the football team. He joined the U.S. Army in 1992.
  ``He was keen as well as humble,'' said Sergeant (SGT) Thomas 
Lathrop, who served with SFC Polk. ``He had a swagger about him that 
separated him from the rest and an insurmountable vivacity that could 
never be ignored.''
  First Lieutenant (1LT) Jaciel Guerrero, who also served with SFC 
Polk, admired his leadership abilities. ``Whenever anyone needed 
guidance, he was there,'' said 1LT Guerrero.
  SFC Polk's son, Xavier Jones, said his dad was a loving father, a 
volunteer firefighter, and one who would find time for fishing. ``He 
disappeared for days at a time and go fishing,'' Xavier said. ``He 
would come home with fish and put them in a tank, a regular fish 
tank.''
  SFC Polk was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star medals.
  According to the Memorial Network Partner Provider, a memorial 
service was held on August 15, 2009, at the Little Rock Missionary 
Baptist Church. SFC Polk was laid to rest at the Biloxi National 
Cemetery.
  SFC Polk is survived by his wife, Wanonia Janise; five children, 
Antoine Azeheart, Mary Gardner, De'Andra Jones, Zavier Jones, Alvin 
Jones; and siblings, Walter Polk, Artha Polk, and Mary Polk.
  SFC Polk paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy. 
His devotion to our nation will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________