South Carolina S 685: National Guard Day in South Carolina

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 685 Text of Previous Version (May. 28, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 685

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A senate RESOLUTION

TO DECLARE THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025, AS "NATIONAL GUARD 
DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MANY SACRIFICES AND 
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD MAKES TO PROTECT THE FREEDOM, 
DEMOCRACY, AND SECURITY OF OUR STATE AND NATION.

Whereas, in 1999, the 
United States Congress began designating May as National Military Appreciation 
Month to recognize the freedom and security that United States citizens enjoy 
today are the results of the vigilant commitment of the United States Armed Forces; 
and

Whereas, it is appropriate 
to promote national awareness of the sacrifices that members of the United 
States Armed Forces have made in the past and continue to make every day in 
order to support the Constitution and to preserve the freedoms and liberties that 
enrich the Nation; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina National Guard is a community-based military organization that 
primarily serves the Governor and citizens of South Carolina, but also serves 
abroad in support of national defense. Currently, the South Carolina Army 
National Guard (SCARNG) has more than nine thousand two hundred soldiers, and 
the South Carolina Air National Guard (SCANG) has more than one thousand three 
hundred airmen; and

Whereas, among a group of 
dedicated patriots, a few are distinguished each year for their exemplary 
character and service. The 2025 award winners for the South Carolina Air 
National Guard are: Airman of the Year, Senior Airman Mario Villalta; 
Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Technical Sergeant David Viers; Senior 
Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Senior Master Sergeant Courtney Polnicky; 
First Sergeant of the Year, Master Sergeant Gary Ballier; Officer of the Year, 
Captain Daniel Weipert; and the Barbara Livingston SCANG Family of the Year 
honor went to Colonel Michael Dunkin and Family; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina Army National Guard hosts an annual contest, the Best Warrior 
Competition, where individuals are evaluated based upon combat soldier skills 
that include land navigation, physical fitness, marksmanship, a road march, and 
a series of knowledge-based questions. This year's winners are Soldier of the 
Year, Specialist Micah Grover; Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, Sergeant 
Noah Boggs; and Warrant Officer of the Year, Chief Warrant Officer Two Richard 
Miller. Army Guard awards are also granted for meritorious service, and the 
2025 award winners are Captain Evan Borrelli, who was presented with the Major 
General Dozier Award; Staff Sergeant Nicolas Long, who was granted the 
Director's 54 Award; and Staff Sergeant Ronald McCoon and Family were bestowed 
the Barbara Livingston SCARNG Family of the Year; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina Senate is extremely grateful for the service of the members of the 
South Carolina National Guard to protect the citizens and traditional values of 
this nation and deeply honor the memory of the eighteen soldiers in the South 
Carolina National Guard who have paid the ultimate price in support of combat 
operations since September 11, 2001. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, declare Thursday, 
May 8, 2025, as "National Guard Day" in South Carolina to recognize and honor 
the many sacrifices and valuable contributions the South Carolina National 
Guard makes to protect the freedom, democracy, and security of our State and 
nation.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this 
resolution be presented to South Carolina Adjutant General Army Major General 
Robin Stilwell.

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This web page was last updated on May 28, 2025 at 01:06 PM