WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
In 1940 and 1941 several thousand South Carolina National Guardsmen were called to active duty. The length of service was to be one year, but that time was extended when it became evident that our country would very likely be drawn into the ongoing conflict in Europe and Asia. Then came Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and we were in WWII to the end. The South Carolina Guardsmen served all over the world. Many never came home. Those who returned home didn’t get back until 1945 or 1946. Some returned to help restart National Guard units in their hometowns. The South Carolina National Guard, Army and Air, is today the legacy of those WWII veterans.
These magnificent South Carolina Guardsmen, along with those from other states, volunteers, draftees, and a small active duty Army, Navy, and Marine Corps defeated the Axis forces, and saved the world for all freedom loving people. Yes, there is no memorial in our nation’s Capital to recognize their achievement. There is a memorial to the Korean War and one to the Vietnam War, but none for WWII, a war that dwarfed all others in scope and intensity. But that is going to change soon now that President Bush has signed legislation in May to begin construction of a WWII Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The WWII Memorial is being funded by contributions from American citizens and corporations. The Executive Council of the National Guard Association of South Carolina is making a contribution of $1,000 to this fund in memory and honor of all those South Carolina Guardsmen who served and those who were killed in WWII. And, they are making it possible for members of the National Guard Association of SC to contribute to this memorial through the association. A list of initial contributors follows this article.
When I enlisted in the SC Army National Guard in 1947, every officer in my company and on the battalion staff was a veteran of WWII, as were many of the noncommissioned officers. This was the norm throughout the SCNG. All of these veterans have since retired, and many of them have passed on. The survivors are 70 and 80 years old. World War II veterans all over our nation are dying at the rate of one thousand a day. Let’s honor and remember their sacrifices and achievements before it is too late.
Please mail your contribution today. A contribution form is at the bottom of this article for your convenience. Contributions are 100% tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to “WWII Memorial” in order to receive credit on your tax returns. All contributions received will be forwarded to the fund by 30 September 2001 along with a list of contributors and addresses. Additional names of contributors will be published in the October issue of this newsletter.
Article by COL (Ret) W. Harvey Shackelford,
Former Executive Director of the NGASC
World War II Memorial Contributors
as of 30 June 2001
BG Harry B. Burchstead
LTC Dale F. Ellenburg
BG (Ret) Jerald R. Helgeson
MG (Ret) Jim Lander
CSM A. Frank Lever III
SGT Daisy Mendez
COL (Ret) W. Harvey Shackelford
SSG Gregory A. Slone
MG Stanhope S. Spears
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Please print
this page and return it with your contribution to the NGASC office.
I am proud to make my contribution of ($100), ($50), ($25), (_______) to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. in honor and memory of the sacrifices and achievements of all SC National Guardsmen who served in WWII.
NAME:_________________________________________________RANK:__________
ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________
Please make check payable to: "WWII Memorial." Contributions are tax deductible.
Mail to: NGASC, 924 S. Stadium Rd., Columbia, SC 29201