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By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2006 - The Defense Department, Department of Veterans Affairs and millions of servicemembers and veterans are mourning retired U.S. Rep. Gillespie "Sonny" Montgomery, who died today at 85 in Meridian, Miss., following a long illness.

"With the passing on of Sonny Montgomery, America has lost a true patriot, and the men and women in uniform have lost one of their most passionate advocates," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said in a statement issued today.

"A decorated veteran of World War II -- where he won the Bronze Star for capturing a German machine gun nest -- as well as the Korean War, Sonny Montgomery brought his personal experience and expertise in military matters to bear in a lifetime of public service," Rumsfeld said.

The secretary called it a privilege to serve with Montgomery when he first joined the House of Representatives in the late 1960s. "Because of the way he treated everyone with grace and respect, Sonny would go on to become one of the most beloved and respected members of the Congress on both sides of the aisle," Rumsfeld noted.

Montgomery's outstanding legislative accomplishment, Rumsfeld said, was the Montgomery G.I Bill that bears his name and has "extended educational benefits to countless thousands of soldiers in the nation's all-volunteer service."

"The title of a recent biography of Sonny Montgomery put it well," Rumsfeld said. He truly was 'The Veteran's Champion.'"

Montgomery served for 13 years as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and was known as a champion of servicemembers and veterans. One of his biggest achievements was writing the modernized GI Bill that boosted recruiting for the all-volunteer force.

President Bush presented Montgomery the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November "for his service to our country and for his dedicated work to honor and improve the lives of the men and women who sacrifice for our liberty." The medal is the nation's highest civilian award.

During the ceremony, Bush lauded Montgomery as a "tireless champion for America's veterans."

"A decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Sonny Montgomery brought his personal experience and expertise to his service on the Veterans' Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee," the president noted. "He sponsored the landmark Montgomery GI Bill, which has helped make higher education and professional and vocational training accessible to millions of America's veterans."

Today, Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson referred to Montgomery as "Mr. Veteran."

"He was one of America's strongest advocates for the men and women in uniform, and he was a dedicated statesman," Nicholson said in a statement released today.

"After nearly three decades on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, including 13 years as its chairman, Sonny left an indelible mark on the history of veterans and military services in America." Nicholson said. "His efforts to improve veterans' educational benefits reached a zenith in 1984 with what we now refer to as the Montgomery GI Bill of Rights.

"Sonny Montgomery once said, 'Patriotism is a pretty simple word, but also a beautiful word to most Americans,'" Nicholson said. "Sonny Montgomery exemplified patriotism, and he will be greatly missed."

Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, called Montgomery "the quintessential citizen-soldier who set the conditions for the success of the all-volunteer force." Within National Guard circles, he was known as "Mr. National Guard," and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard named its highest tribute for him, the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Eagle Award.

"The National Guard as an institution and individual Guardsmen past, present and future owe 'Sonny' Montgomery an enormous debt of gratitude for his lifetime of effort on our behalf," said retired Brig. Gen. Stephen M. Koper, president of the National Guard Association of the United States. "To us, he is more than a giant. He is, and forever will be, 'Mr. National Guard.'"

In addition to an education benefit and National Guard award, Montgomery has a long list of other military institutions named in his honor. Among them are the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., the Naval Reserve Training Center at Naval Air Station Meridian, and the Sonny Montgomery Airport at Forest, Miss. In addition, the Mississippi Air National Guard's C-17 Globemaster III transport plane is named "The Spirit of G.V. 'Sonny' Montgomery."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Biographies:

Donald H. Rumsfeld [http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/rumsfeld_bio.html]

R. James Nicholson [http://www1.va.gov/opa/bios/biography.asp?id=29]

Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, USA [http://www.ngb.army.mil/ngbgomo/library/bio/blum_sh.html]

U.S. Rep. Sonny Montgomery [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000865]

Related Site:

Montgomery GI Bill [http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH30/CH30_Pamphlet_General.htm]

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