Mr. Armstrong deserves our thanks

Renaming the Post Office in Hazlehurst (see front page) after local WWII hero Chester Cockrell didn’t ‘just happen’.  The attempt literally took years, an act of Congress and the president’s signature.

We can all thank John Armstrong, a local attorney, resident of Hazlehurst and local history buff.  He contacted Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, who crafted the wording of the bill that eventually passed both houses last fall and went to the President for final approval.  If you know him, you know that Mr. Armstrong’s effort was tireless and relentless.

Cockrell’s story provides inspiration for, not only our generation, but those to come.  He is deserving of this honor.  Thanks to Mr. Armstrong, we have another daily reminder of what it sometimes takes to preserve our freedom.