The national commander addressed a joint assembly of South Carolina lawmakers in the historic state capitol.
Fresh off his congressional testimony from a day earlier, American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard addressed a joint assembly of South Carolina lawmakers in the historic state capitol today.
“Without understating the seriousness of this (Russian) threat, The American Legion agrees with the president’s decision to not send U.S. troops into Ukraine,” he said in Columbia, S.C. “We do believe, however, that the international community must use every diplomatic and economic tool at its disposal to convince Russia to reverse course.”
Annual addresses by American Legion national commanders at the South Carolina capitol are a tradition that goes back decades, though it was cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The national commander’s speech is an opportunity for us to spotlight The American Legion as well as highlight veteran issues to the legislators of South Carolina,” Department of South Carolina Adjutant Nick Diener said. “Past speeches have definitely been helpful in advancing veteran bills. Legislators are keenly aware of the size of The American Legion and listen when an organization of over 20,000 members in South Carolina takes a position.”
Dillard used the opportunity to praise state representatives for the passage of two House bills supported by the department.
“House Bill 3598 establishes a burial compensation fund for veterans organizations to provide honor guards,” Dillard said. “Legionnaires consider it a true honor to bring dignity to a veteran’s funeral. Though it’s a labor of love, most honor guard members dig into their pockets to perform these services. The cost to the taxpayers is relatively small but it does make a difference to these veterans, who take time off from their jobs and other obligations.”
Dillard also voiced support for legislation that would exempt military pensions from state income tax. “South Carolina is already what we call ‘veteran-friendly,’ but the exemption would provide yet another powerful incentive for military retirees to choose the Palmetto State as their new home once they hang up their uniforms. Most military retirees do seek second careers, which would generate additional revenue for this state.”
Echoing his congressional testimony, Dillard told South Carolina lawmakers that buddy checks are an important tool to reduce veteran suicides. “More than 118,000 men and women who have served in our armed forces have taken their own lives since 2001. That’s double the number of KIAs that we lost during the entire Vietnam War,” he said. “I’m not here to give you statistics. One is too many.”
Stopping these needless deaths, Dillard said, “is a top priority for The American Legion.”
Dillard concluded his remarks by recognizing South Carolina State Sen. J. Thomas McElveen and State Rep. G. Murrell Smith as the American Legion Department of South Carolina 2022 Outstanding Members of the Legislature.
“They are not only great lawmakers, but they are advocates for those who have served,” he said.
Diener noted the rarity for a national commander to address a state legislature and said it was an effective means to move veteran bills. “While we are one of the few if not the only state where the national commander speaks to a joint assembly of the legislature, I definitely recommend that other departments pursue this with their legislatures.”
- Commander