Friends,

I hope you and your families had a happy Labor Day. Thank you to all the hardworking Americans who have made this great nation what it is today, and a special thanks to all those working yesterday, particularly our servicemembers, first responders, and law enforcement officers...!

Now, on to this week's weekly recap!

Meeting with our Navy Partners on the West Coast

I recently traveled to California to visit Naval Air Station Lemoore, the West Coast Master Jet Base. While there, I had the opportunity to watch their F-35 squadrons in action and see the work they are doing to ensure air superiority for our U.S. Navy and our country. As a naval aviator who is married to a naval aviator, I understand the importance of investing in new equipment and technology to keep our Navy strong!

The F-35 is an amazing aircraft, and I have had numerous conversations with Navy Leadership to advocate for the basing of the aircraft at Naval Air Station Oceana, the East Coast Master Jet Base. I believe it is time to look to the future of NAS Oceana's strategic mission and work to bring the military's newest aircraft to Hampton Roads - as well as all the additional investments it will bring to our military community.

We must continue to protect our defense budget and prioritize the quality of life for the men and women who serve in our all-volunteer force. I am proud to advocate to keep Naval Aviation at the forefront of our community for generations to come and remain committed to working on the House Armed Service Committee to advocate for a better future for NAS Oceana!

Getting to Know the Virginia Beach Walmart Employees

Last week, I visited the Walmart on Virginia Beach Boulevard for a tour of their facility and store. While there, I had a chance to meet with some of the hardworking employees who serve our community in their positions there.

Let's just say that as a Mom of four, I've done my fair share of Walmart shopping...! But even I was surprised to learn that Walmart employs more than 46,000 people in the state of Virginia and is the largest private employer in the world...!

During the visit, we discussed the store's operations, the feedback they receive from customers, and how the economy affects the store and its employees. Additionally, I had a chance to learn about the education and training programs Walmart offers employees and their use of new technologies in the facility.

I enjoyed talking with the Virginia Beach employees and learning about their work. Thank you, Walmart, for having me, and for my new name tag...!

Touring Urology of Virginia

Last week, I also met with the team at Urology of Virginia for a tour of their Virginia Beach office! During the visit, they provided an overview of their operations and the work they do for residents of Hampton Roads. I had the opportunity to learn about the Schellhammer Urological Research Foundation (SURF) which supports research and education for our local providers.

As a nurse practitioner, I am thankful for the work they do to provide specialty care for patients in our community. Thank you to Urology of Virginia for inviting me to your facility and for all you do!

Mobile Office Visit with Smithfield Veterans

Last week, my office held Mobile Office Hours at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8545 in Smithfield! It is always a privilege to visit with residents in the community and learn how I can be most helpful to them as their Member of Congress! I enjoyed meeting with local veterans and discussing the ways my office can assist them with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies.

My team and I are always ready to assist you with challenges you may be facing with federal agencies. If you or a family member need help, don't hesitate to contact us at (757) 364-7650 or visit our website at https://www.kiggans.house.gov.

Visiting Magnolia Manor

I had a wonderful time last week visiting Magnolia Manor Riverside Lifelong Health & Rehab Center in Smithfield! I enjoyed touring their facility and spending time with the staff and residents. During my visit, I was able to learn more about the care residents receive and struggles that facilities and providers are facing.

As a geriatric nurse practitioner who had the privilege of caring for our Greatest Generation, I know how important facilities like Magnolia Manor are for our older adults. Thank you to all of the nurses, aides, doctors, managers, and other staff who work hard to provide the best care for their residents...!

Bring Them Home

Like many of you, I woke up Saturday morning to the devastating news that the bodies of six hostages taken captive on October 7th of last year were recovered in Rafah by Israel's IDF forces, including an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin...

I visited Israel earlier this year, saw the site of the Nova Music Festival, and met with Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s parents. The brutal murder of Hersh and five other Israelis is proof Hamas will not choose peace over terror. We must give Israel every tool it needs to save the remaining hostages, destroy Hamas, and put an end to this evil.

Please join me in praying for the families and friends of these six innocent civilians who have been working endlessly for 11 months to have their loved ones returned alive. In Congress, I will continue to stand with our ally Israel and work to bring all remaining hostages home.

Weekly Poll

With over 1,300 votes last week, more than 75% of you stated that the Federal Government should not be in the business of setting price controls! I agree with you! If you look at times which other countries have implemented price controls, it shows that they don't work. The American people cannot afford for big government to get in the business of manipulating prices! It's bad policy!!

And now on to this week's poll question!

Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week

This week I would like to honor Medal of Honor recipient Captain Joseph T O’Callahan United States Navy (Medal of Honor Action Date: March 19, 1945)

O’Callahan was born on May 14th, 1905 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. After Graduating from Boston College High School in 1922, He entered St Andrews College of Poughkeepsie, NY to study to become a Jesuit Priest. While at St. Andrews, O’Callahan obtained a BA in 1925 and a MA in 1929 with specialties in math and physics. He taught at Boston College from 1927 to 1937. In 1934 he was ordained as a Jesuit priest and continued teaching at multiple colleges until 1940.

O’Callahan joined the U.S. Navy Reserve Chaplain Corps in 1940. He served first aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) and participated in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa in 1942 and Operation Leander, an Allied bombing raid on Norway which sank several German ships. By July 1945 O’Callahan had attained the rank of lieutenant commander and reported aboard the Essex class aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13). 

On March 19, 1945, the USS Franklin was conducting air raids against two Japanese positions. While the ship’s air crew was busy preparing aircraft for further assaults, a single Japanese dive bomber successfully dropped two 550 lb bombs on the ship. The resulting explosions caused a chain reaction sparking numerous fires and resulted in the ship's munitions to explode, severely damaging the ship. The aircraft carrier soon was dead in the water and taking on heavy water. 

The USS Franklin was in mortal danger and at risk of sinking. The water mains which controlled the flow of water through the ship had been badly damaged and the crew was unable to flood the ships ammunition magazine to prevent a catastrophic explosion. Father O’Callahan had been traversing the ship, administering last rites to the dead and comforting badly wounded sailors. He then began leading damage control parties below decks to find and remove ordnance and ammunition from the ship. 

The number of those killed and wounded from the March 19th attack is a subject of debate with the lower estimate being 724 sailors killed and 265 wounded. The USS Franklin survived the 19 March attack and was able to return to the United States for major repairs. 

In total, it is estimated that more than 700 sailors were killed with an additional 265 injured on March 19th. O’Callahan was subsequently awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions but he refused to accept the award. He was the only person in WWII to decline the Navy Cross. It was thought that O’Callahan was awarded the Navy Cross in lieu of the Medal of Honor because O’Callahan’s heroic actions reflected poorly on the captain’s leadership. President Harry S Truman intervened and awarded then Commander O’Callahan the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on January 23rd, 1946. O’Callahan was the first Navy Chaplain to receive the award.

Joseph O’Callahan remained in the Navy Reserve until 1953 before leaving service at the rank of Captain. He returned to The College of the Holy Cross in 1948 as the head of the Mathematics Department. He wrote a memoir of his experience on USS Franklin titled I was Chaplain on the Franklin in 1956. O’Callahan never fully recovered from injuries he sustained onboard Franklin and died at the age of 58 on March 18th 1964, one day before the 19th anniversary of the attack. The USS O’Callahan (FF-1051) was named in his honor and served from 1968 to 1988. His service is also recounted in the 2011 documentary “USS Franklin: Honor Restored." 

Fun Fact of the Week!

Did you know that on September 2, 1945, the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo bay? This week marks the 79th anniversary of that historic day. After the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Emperor Hirohito gave a speech on August 15th announcing the surrender. The formal ceremony saw General Douglas MacArthur sign on behalf of the Allied nations while Admiral Chester Nimitz signed for the United States and eight other Allied countries. British Admiral Bruce Fraser signed for the UK while General Philippe Leclerc signed on behalf of France. September 2nd then became known as VJ day or Victory in Japan day. 

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my DC Office at (202) 225-4215 or my Virginia Beach District Office at (757) 364-7650 with questions, concerns, or if you require assistance with a federal agency. And don't forget - if you’d like to stay up to date with what I’m working on, check out my website and follow my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages (linked below) to stay up to date!

If you or your family are visiting Washington DC in the coming summer months, please stop by to say hello! If you are interested in a tour, please let us know!

Take care,

Jen A. Kiggans

Congresswoman, Virginia's Second District