Three decades of service come to an end for 'An American Patriot'

By Bill Wagnon

When the people of Mississippi's Third Congressional District go to the polls on Nov. 5 this fall, something will be missing. For the first time in three decades, a new name will appear as the Democratic candidate to represent the district in Washington. For the first time since Lyndon Johnson was president and gasoline was 30 cents a gallon, the name of Gillespie V. Montgomery won't be on the ballot.

When Sonny Montgomery went to Washington in 1966, he filled his staff with young people, saying, "we can all profit by their enthusiasm and ability."

Little did the people of the Third District know when they went to the polls on Nov. 8, 1966, that they would be sending to represent them in Congress someone who would have such a enormous impact on the nation's military system. On that first Tuesday in November 30 years ago, the district overwhelmingly voted a young, handsome Meridian insurance salesman and state legislator as their U.S. representative in Washington. On that day, from Laurel to Starkville and from Meridian to Columbus and small towns and communities in between, the people elected a patriot-an American Patriot.

Affectionately known as "Sonny," the Mississippi State graduate has served with seven presidents. He has fought in Europe in World War II and returned to active duty during the Korean War as part of a military career that spanned 35 years. As a member of Congress, he traveled to Vietnam to visit with the troops at Christmas and to search for missing soldiers. He has long been known as one of the nation's leading champions of a strong defense and as the foremost advocate for veterans' rights.

It was fitting that on September 13, 1988, the veteran congressman from Mississippi became the first to lead the House of Representatives in the Pledge of Allegiance as it became a permanent part of daily operations.

"When you think of patriotism-the real meaning of the United States of America to our citizens-I can't think of a person who exemplifies the true meaning of the word more than Sonny," says Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas.

Sonny Montgomery the patriot is retiring from the U.S. Congress this year, but not without having left his mark on the military and having served his way into the hearts of those across the state of Mississippi and beyond.

Born and reared in Meridian, Sonny Montgomery's early life helped set the course for a distinguished career. His father died when his only child was just 10. Sonny and his mother struggled like other families during the Depression, but he had an otherwise normal life growing up in the Magnolia State. He spent his sophomore, junior, and senior years of high school at a military preparatory school in Chattanooga, graduating in 1939 from the McCallie School.

He enrolled in Mississippi State College to pursue a degree in business. There-at the institution his great grandfather, Col. W. B. Montgomery, had helped establish decades earlier-Sonny furthered his military skills in the ROTC and gained his first taste of politics. Following in the footsteps of the legendary John C. Stennis, who had preceded him at Mississippi State by 20 years, Sonny was elected both president of the student body and "Mr. Mississippi State."

"Sonny was always a leader, let there be no question about that," says longtime friend and former Meridian Mayor Al Rosenbaum. "Even back to Boy Scout days. I didn't know that he would go as far as he did, both in the Mississippi Senate, in the insurance business, and in the House of Representatives. But I knew he was a leader, there was never any question about that."

Shortly after receiving his degree in 1943, 2nd Lt. Montgomery was called to serve overseas in World War II, where he earned the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Army Commendation Medal, among other awards. And he gained an even deeper understanding of the need to provide health care and other benefits for those who served their country and for those who depended on them.

Back in Meridian after the war, Sonny built a successful insurance business and began his rise to the rank of major general in the Mississippi National Guard. He was first elected to public office in 1956 when he won a seat in the Mississippi Senate. He would be reelected four times and compile an impeccable record of service. In 10 years, he never missed a vote, and legislation he sponsored is still benefiting Mississippi. He was the driving force behind the state's educational television system, an extensive waterway district, and an enormous building program for Mississippi's universities and colleges.

While in college, Montgomery was Mr. Mississippi State, left, and a member of the basketball team (No. 25), below. At the unveiling of his portrait in Mitchell Memorial Library in 1987, far left, he visited with President Donald Zacharias and Director of Libraries George Lewis.

Describing himself as "a conservative Mississippi Democrat," Sonny Montgomery first ran for Congress in 1966. He won with 65 percent of the vote. It was the closest he would ever come to defeat in his 15 elections. He told those who had elected him that he was going to Washington to "bring the boys home with dignity" from Vietnam. That early promise to be a friend to those in the military and to those who had served has remained a guiding force during three decades in Congress.

He was sworn into Congress in January 1967 alongside another new member, George Bush-one a Democrat from Mississippi and one a Republican from Texas. They met later that day in the House gym in the first of what would be many encounters. Years later, then President George Bush would declare publicly on many occasions that Sonny Montgomery was his closest friend in the House of Representatives.

When the new congressman appointed his first staff, he did so with youth. For he said that "we all can profit by the enthusiasm and ability of young people-listening to their ideas and tempering and adapting them with the wisdom that older persons have gained through experience. In this way, we can train and guide the young leaders of today so that in the future, our country will rest in good hands-hands that can in turn lead succeeding generations."

When Sonny Montgomery went to work, he worked hard. In 1968, the U.S. House conducted a session that set records for duration and for the number of roll calls demanded during one week. Sonny Montgomery, in his second year on Capitol Hill, was there to answer all 45 quorum and roll call votes during the 32-hour marathon. He said later, "The issue before us was too important to be missed for the sake of a few hours sleep."

When he made a promise, he kept it. He worked his way onto committees which would help him strengthen the military, and his rise to leadership on these committees helped him improve veterans' benefits. He served 14 terms on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, including 14 years as its chairman. He served for 12 terms on the Armed Services Committee, and was the senior Democrat on key subcommittees on Personnel and Compensation and on Installations and Facilities.

"He has this unique ability to get people to work together," says former Secretary of the Army Jack Marsh. "If you watch him closely, you will see that there is a dimension of his personality that when things are going well it's 'what we are doing,' not 'what I'm doing,' not 'what Sonny Montgomery is doing.' He makes other people think they are achieving this end result. So what he does is he shares the credit with other people and gives them accolades for things that he is committed to and working to achieve."

Montgomery shared a laugh with President Ronald Reagan at the official signing of the new G.I. Bill that bears his name in 1987, above. The 15-term congressman was Mississippi State's commencement speaker in 1991, right.

And he took care of Mississippi. He made sure the Veterans Administration hospitals in Jackson and Biloxi were well-funded, and he secured federal support for four state veterans' nursing homes, three of which opened in 1996. He relocated to Jackson the regional administrative office for the Veterans Health Administration. He helped bring millions of dollars in military construction to the state, and saw to it that the National Guard was equipped with the latest aircraft and the most up-to-date missile systems. And he played a major role in helping save military bases in Meridian and Columbus as the armed forces underwent several rounds of installation cutbacks.

In 1996, legislation was passed to name the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson after Sonny Montgomery. The G. V. Montgomery National Guard Complex in Meridian was dedicated in honor of the Mississippi congressman in 1981.

On Capitol Hill and around the country, Sonny Montgomery became known as Mr. Veteran, and Mississippi veterans were at the top of his list.

"I think his reputation is that he is the strongest advocate for veterans' causes of anybody in this Congress, and that is why he deserves and has earned the title Mr. Veteran," says Rep. Bob Stump, R-Ariz., chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. "That means a lot. I wish I could be called that. I never had or have any hopes to reach the level of achievement he has as far as helping our young people in this country."

"The government does have an obligation to the veteran," notes Montgomery. "They call that individual up, they send them off to war, and if they get back-and if they don't get back, their loved ones-are entitled to proper compensation. And, the veteran that does return, he or she is entitled to education, to compensation, a pension, to be able to get a low interest loan and buy a home, to help them in their business. So we've done a pretty good job for our veterans."

When asked, he served, even when this meant placing his life in danger. In his first year in the House, he began traveling overseas, first to inspect the Food for Peace program, but mostly to see the military and the war in Vietnam firsthand. He spent every Christmas from his freshman year until the war ended visiting soldiers in the field. Following the war, he was charged with setting up the Select Committee on U.S. Involvement in Southeast Asia and the House Select Committee on Missing Persons in Southeast Asia, again traveling to Vietnam in search of prisoners of war and Americans missing in action. In 1977, he went to Hanoi as part of the Woodstock Commission to seek information on missing servicemen. In all, he made 14 trips to Vietnam.

"I would go to Vietnam on Christmas," remembers Montgomery. "I went as I recall seven or eight Christmases in a row. I would give out little cards to the Mississippians and they would put the telephone numbers of their families at home. When I got back I would call up their loved ones or write them a note. I still have people today when I go home say 'You called me up when my son was in Vietnam.' That was a great moment."

In 1984, his helicopter was shot at as he observed presidential elections in El Salvador at the request of President Reagan. That same year, at the urging of the Speaker of the House, he led the official contingent to the 40th anniversary of the D-Day invasion at Normandy, and again for the 50th anniversary in 1994. In 1990, he led the House delegation that successfully negotiated with North Korea to bring home the first set of remains of U.S. servicemen killed during the Korean War.

In the wee hours of an April morning in 1984, Congressman Sonny Montgomery faced what may have been his toughest battle. He had introduced legislation in 1981 to provide incentives for the recruitment and retention of qualified young men and women for the all-volunteer forces. The legislation had met with some resistance in previous years, and now, as part of the Defense Authorization Bill, was again facing possible cuts. Sensing that the bill was in danger and knowing its importance to the future of the military, Montgomery abruptly walked out of the early morning conference.

Montgomery never left his office at night until he had answered every piece of mail, signed every letter, and returned every phone call, above. In Hanoi in 1975, upper right, he watched as the remains of an American pilot killed in the Vietnam War were carried aboard an airplane for the trip home. At right, he discussed issues with fellow representatives Trent Lott of Mississippi and Phil Gramm of Texas in 1982.

The legislation, now known as the Montgomery G.I. Bill, gives veterans financial assistance to attend college after leaving the service. It has improved military recruitment as well as the skills and earnings of veterans. And it will continue to upgrade the country's civilian work force for years to come. Said former Speaker of the House Jim Wright, "It is my firm judgment that no investment our government ever has made, at least in recent times, has been as productive as the G.I. Bill."

Above, Montgomery and President George Bush have maintained a strong friendship over the years. The congressman always has been known for visiting the troops, at home in Mississippi and overseas, below.

To date, the Montgomery G.I. Bill has helped more than two million young men and women study at colleges and universities across the country. "One of the things I've always wanted to do from the time I completed high school was to get my Ph.D., and that's been a lifelong dream for me," says current Mississippi State student and veteran Mary Alexander. "And here I am about to fulfill that dream, and it was the G.I. Bill-it is the G.I. Bill-that is helping me fulfill that dream."

In July of 1995, Secretary of Defense William Perry awarded Congressman Montgomery the department's highest civilian award. Known as the Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the award was presented for his successful efforts to enact the Montgomery G.I. Bill.

Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery left Mississippi in 1966, not as a single voice, but as a messenger for the people. He had told his constituents that he would try to be present on the floor as much as possible. "I don't want my constituents to have elected half a Congressman-one who is only there half of the time," he would say.

Even when his reelection was not in doubt, he would canvass the Third District for votes, coming home on weekends to campaign door-to-door, seeking support and asking what he could do for the people when he returned to Washington.

Throughout his three decades on Capitol Hill, Mississippian Sonny Montgomery has never forgotten his roots. He has often said that he always relied on the judgment of those who elected him and voted his conscience. His political courage brought him the respect of both parties.

"I don't know of any member of the United States Congress who knows more members of the United States Congress and has a personal friendship or a relationship with those members than Sonny Montgomery," explains former Army Secretary Marsh. "He knows them on both sides of the aisle-the Republicans and Democrats-and has strong personal ties and friendships with those individuals."

Sonny never left his office at night until he had answered every piece of mail, signed every letter, and returned every phone call. If you called his office, chances were good you would be talking with the congressman within seconds. If you stopped by his office, he would see you, have his picture taken with you, ask for your advice.

When he had the opportunity in 1989 to become Secretary of Veterans Affairs -a new cabinet-level position he was responsible for creating-he declined, preferring to continue his work in Congress.

That was the Sonny Montgomery way; that was the promise he had made to Mississippi. In 30 years in Congress, he never lost a vote on the House floor. He didn't like to lose, and didn't like being told something couldn't work-especially something the people of Mississippi had told him the country needed.

"When it comes to our country-service to our country-Sonny was one of those votes that I certainly looked up to see how he voted and was never ever disappointed in not being able to fully explain why I voted as I did after following his leadership," says Texas Congressman Charles Stenholm.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown says of Sonny: "He's an American hero, a patriot who has asked nothing in return. History will be kind to Sonny Montgomery because he's earned a special place in it."

History will be kind to Sonny Montgomery. He did what he set out to do three decades ago-serve his country, serve the people, and make a difference.

Mr. Veteran himself once said, "Patriotism is a pretty simple word, but also a beautiful word to most Americans." To the American people, the name Sonny Montgomery is beautiful, too. To most Americans, it means patriotism.

"The bottom line is I like government, I like people, and I guess you can say I'm a little patriotic," says Sonny. "And someone had to do the job."