HONORING LONNIE THOMPSON ON HIS RETIREMENT

HONORING LONNIE THOMPSON ON HIS RETIREMENT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)] [House] [Page H2668] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING LONNIE THOMPSON ON HIS RETIREMENT (Mr. FRY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of my friend, Lonnie Thompson, of Florence, South Carolina, on his retirement after 45 years of service to SOPAKCO. While SOPAKCO might not seem like a household brand, this incredible company has played a critical role in supporting our men and women in uniform, dating back to World War II. They have become an institution in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and a leading provider of MREs to the Department of War. Lonnie is a proven leader in our community and in the shelf-stable food industry. He helped FEMA develop a civilian version of the MRE, which has been utilized for disaster relief purposes for more than a decade. Earlier this year, he was named as one of the most influential leaders of the Pee Dee. Prior to joining SOPAKCO, Lonnie proudly served in the U.S. Army and National Guard for 17 years, where he honed his leadership and organizational skills as a tank commander. Lonnie has two children, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and was married to the love of his life, the late Dorothy ``Dot'' Thompson, for 49 years. I am grateful for Lonnie's service to our community, State, and country, and for his unwavering support of our men and women in uniform. I wish him well in his retirement. ____________________