ADDRESS BY THE NATIONAL COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
On Tuesday March 1, 2011, we were joined by our Senate Colleagues in the house chamber to listen to the remarks of the National Commander of the American Legion. The Honorable Jimmie Foster was introduced and spoke to us about veterans issues. At the beginning of his speech he mentioned how delighted he was with the proposed bill to honor vets in South Carolina. This is the bill that I Brought to the floor and is heavily co-sponsored by my colleagues. It is good to know that other vets appreciate simple things we as citizens and lawmakers can do. This should have been done a long time ago. Below is his remarks about the bill and the complete speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen of this great body, symbols matter. And that is why I was delighted to learn that this Legislature is considering a law that would allow for the inclusion of one's military veteran status on South Carolina drivers licenses. States already do this for organ donors. We call organ donations "the gift of life" and that is exactly what these transplants provide for countless people. But veterans also provide the gift of life – The American way of life. History indicates that without the sacrifices made by our veterans, America would probably be living under fascist, communist or some other totalitarian rule."
Jimmie Foster – National Commander of the American Legion
Below is the complete speech from Jimmie Foster as given on March 1, 2011 to a joint session.
Greetings, Lt. Governor Ard. Thank you for that wonderful introduction……I do appreciate your kind words. I'm glad to be here and I thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. Before I begin, please allow me to take a moment to introduce members of The American Legion family who are with me today.
First, it's a real pleasure that we have with us the head of the nation's largest patriotic women's organization – from Pasadena, Texas: – the American Legion Auxiliary National President Carlene Ashworth. Next is the Commander of the South Carolina American Legion, Cecil Phillips from Rock Hill, the National Executive Committeeman for the Department of South Carolina, Billy Bell from Camden, alternate NECman John Palmer from Mountain Rest, Department Adjutant Jimmy Hawk of Irmo, my aide and fellow Alaskan, Jim Van Horn of Ketchikan, Auxiliary Department of South Carolina President Betty McMorrow from Little River, Auxiliary NECWoman Brenda Collins from Greenville, alternate NECWoman Dot Tunstall, from Lexington, Department Auxiliary Secretary Louise Winesett, from Columbia, and the Commander of the South Carolina Detachment of the Sons of The American Legion, Andy Hornbuckle from Little River. We also have with us the Interim Director of The American Legion Riders of South Carolina, Grady Richardson of Hemmingway.
On behalf of the 2.4 million Legionnaires around the world and the nearly 200 Legion posts throughout the State of South Carolina, I want to thank each of you for what you do for our men and women who serve in our military and our veterans from past wars.
I would also like to acknowledge the fine work of the two men designated by the Department of South Carolina as the Outstanding Members of the Legislature for 2011. State Senator Harvey Peeler and Representative Gary Simrill. We appreciate all that you do on behalf of veterans.
Ladies and gentlemen of this great body, symbols matter. And that is why I was delighted to learn that this Legislature is considering a law that would allow for the inclusion of one's military veteran status on South Carolina drivers licenses.
States already do this for organ donors. We call organ donations "the gift of life" and that is exactly what these transplants provide for countless people.
But veterans also provide the gift of life – The American way of life. History indicates that without the sacrifices made by our veterans, America would probably be living under fascist, communist or some other totalitarian rule.
Not only have veterans made our way of life possible, many have given us their lives. Men like Lance Corporal William H. Crouse IV, who played high school football for the Clinton Red Devils right here in South Carolina.
On December 21, 2010, the 22-year-old Marine and his bomb-sniffing dog, "Cane," were on patrol in Afghanistan's Helmand Province when they struck an Improvised Explosive Device. Still alive when the medical helicopter arrived, Lance Corporal Crouse asked that Cane be put in the helicopter so that he could be saved.
Unfortunately, neither survived. These stories of heroism and sacrifice performed by South Carolinians are repeated again and again, whenever America puts troops in harm's way.
Webster Anderson, a proud native of Winnsboro, earned the nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in Vietnam. After receiving serious wounds from enemy grenades, he refused medical evacuation while he continued to lead artillery fire against enemy soldiers attempting to overrun his position.
While he survived the war, the battle cost him both legs and part of an arm. Retiring as an Army Sergeant First Class, Webster passed away in 2003. With his departure, the United States, and indeed, South Carolina, lost a true hero.
More than 40,000 U.S. military personnel have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan since hostilities began. 78 brave men and women from South Carolina have lost their lives in the current wars.
These stories are important to tell. Not only to educate young people, but as a reminder to all of us that freedom isn't free.
Economic times are tough. Governments face large deficits, revenues are down and nobody likes tax increases. But when you hear someone complain about the cost of a veterans program, remind them of the cost of being a veteran.
It has come up that exempting veterans from budget cuts in South Carolina will adversely affect programs intended for children. This is a false choice. Veterans have already made great sacrifice. The American Legion does not offer expertise in some of your other nonveterans-related programs, but it seems to us that if other programs truly have merit, you should be able to find funding without shortchanging or blaming veterans.
It is veterans, after all, who have made such budgetary debates possible. Your state has one of the largest per capita veteran populations in the country. We must remember their sacrifice and we must remember their families.
Nationally, unemployment and homelessness are higher among veterans. Our VA system faces enormous challenges, as veterans return with devastating traumatic brain injuries, severe burns and missing limbs.
Suicide rates among the military services remain unacceptably high and Post Traumatic Stress continues to haunt the dreams and daily existence of many of our returning heroes.
We owe it to our veterans to serve them as well as they have served us. Just yesterday I toured Fort Jackson, and the outstanding caliber of these men and women never ceases to amaze me. As one who has spent a career in the military, I should not be surprised, but I encourage all members of this body – indeed, all citizens of our great country – to connect with or get to know some member of our military and their family. Less than 10 percent of our society has served in the military, but it's time the other 90 percent gain a better understanding of the sacrifices being made in their name.
Finally, I would like for us all to remember the passing of another great American. Frank W. Buckles, of West Virginia, was the last known American World War I veteran. His death on Sunday, at age 110, marks the end of a generation that not only preserved freedom for countless souls, but gave birth to the organization that he was long a member of, The American Legion.
We must remember Buckles, all those who came before him, and those who will die for future generations of freedom.
President Calvin Coolidge once said, "The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." The American Legion is determined to keep that from happening.
Again, I thank you for all that you do for God and country.
