RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SPECIALIST (SPC) WILLIAM ANTHONY BLOUNT

On 2017-04-06, Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SPECIALIST (SPC) WILLIAM ANTHONY BLOUNT" in the House.

RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SPECIALIST (SPC) WILLIAM ANTHONY BLOUNT

Congressional Record, Volume 163 Issue 60 (Thursday, April 6, 2017) [Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 60 (Thursday, April 6, 2017)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E473] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SPECIALIST (SPC) WILLIAM ANTHONY BLOUNT _____ HON. TRENT KELLY of mississippi in the house of representatives Thursday, April 6, 2017 Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army Specialist (SPC) William Anthony Blount who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 7, 2010, in Mosul, Iraq when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device. He was 21 years old and was serving with the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Stewart, GA. His commanding officer, 1LT Robert Wilson Collins was also killed in the attack. SPC Blount joined the military in 2009 after graduating from Petal High School in Petal, Mississippi. Following his death, the SPC William Anthony Blount Memorial Scholarship was established at Petal High School. Nate McRae, SPC Blount's brother-in-law said his brother was extremely honorable. All of his commanding officers said he was an amazing soldier and that his loss was keenly felt. The procession of SPC Blount's body from the Pine Belt Regional Airport to Moore Funeral Home, led by Mississippi Highway Patrol officers and Petal officials, travelled from Interstate 59 to Evelyn Gandy Parkway to Petal High School along Mississippi Highway 42. With flags and posters in hand, residents lined the streets, and students were released from school to view the procession. SPC Blount is survived by his wife Amanda and his daughter Avery Elizabeth Blount. He is also survived by parents, Billy and Kay Blount, and his siblings, Laken Blount and Lori McRae. ____________________