On Saturday, Mississippi State will honor veterans during its final home football game, a tribute that the university observes each November.
There will be an Air Force fly-over and the MSU band will perform a salute to the military at halftime.
But this year, there will be a new wrinkle to pay homage to a special veteran.
When the Bulldogs take the field Saturday, they will be wearing a special uniform designed to pay homage to 1943 MSU graduate G.V. “Sonny Montgomery,” a distinguished World War II veteran who represented Mississippi’s Third Congressional District for 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Montgomery’s commitment to the military started when he left his home state shortly after earning his degree at MSU for the U.S. Army and World War II, where he fought in Europe with distinction, being awarded a Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Combat Infantry Badge.
He also served in active duty in Korea as a member of the Mississippi National Guard and remained in the National Guard for 35 years, much of it without pay.
But in some respects, his enduring contribution to the military came through his service in Congress, where he was an unflinching advocate for the military. It was in that role that Montgomery made a contribution that continues to affect the lives of our veterans to this day.
In 1984, Montgomery authored a revamped GI Bill, which has been known as the “Montgomery GI Bill” ever since. The legislation assured that the legacy of the original GI Bill, passed in 1944, would live on as VA home loan guaranties and education programs continue to work for our newest generation of combat Veterans.
Montgomery died in 2006 and since that time, his alma mater has taken steps to preserve his memory. A statue of Montgomery is located on the Drill Filed while the university’s veteran center bears his name.
But perhaps the best tribute to Montgomery’s legacy is the university’s commitment to providing veterans educational opportunities. The university is regularly recognized as being a “veteran friendly” institution and the veteran center that bears his name continues to be a valuable resource for veteran students.
Saturday’s program is intended to honor the service of all veterans, but in taking time to remember and appreciate Montgomery’s special contributions, the university understands its connection to Montgomery’s unique service.
Montgomery is more than a statue or a name on a building.
His contributions continue to improve the lives of our service men and women.
Saturday’s tribute is a fitting reminder of that.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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