Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter today announced final passage of legislation to name the U.S. Post Office in Brockport after Nicholas Reid, a Brockport native and Army Staff Sergeant who died as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion while serving in Afghanistan. The legislation passed in late May and was signed into law by President Barack Obama earlier this week.
“Staff Sergeant Reid served with truly heroic bravery,” Senator Gillibrand said. “He answered the highest call, saved the lives of countless of his brothers and sisters in combat, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Naming the Brockport Post Office after him will honor his legacy in the community he loved for all to proudly remember his life and his service.”
“Staff Sergeant Reid’s job was to disarm enemy bombs so his fellow soldiers would be safe from explosions – a practice that defines our military’s values of bravery and selflessness,” said Representative Slaughter. “Naming the Brockport Post Office after him will ensure that the memory of his courage and sacrifice lives on as an example for future generations.”
Senator Gillibrand championed the legislation in the Senate and it passed the full Senate on August 1, 2013. Rep. Slaughter’s bill passed the House on March 24, 2014 and passed the Senate again in May by unanimous consent.
Staff Sergeant Reid grew up in the Town of Brockport and graduated from Brockport High School in 2004. He entered the Army in 2006 and served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist. On December 9, 2012, Staff Sergeant Reid was injured in Sperwan Villiage, Afghanistan, from an IED, and was flown to Landstuhl, Germany, where he died days later on December 13.
For his two tours of duty, Staff Sergeant Reid received the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Senior Explosive Ordnance Badge and the Combat Action Badge. Staff Sergeant Reid was also posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Afghanistan.