[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5983]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              PRAISING THE SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY MUSEUM

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on February 6, the South 
Carolina Military Museum officially opened adjacent to the Bluff Road 
Armory. Five hundred guests gathered at the grand opening, where 
Adjutant General Stan Spears dedicated the museum in honor of all men 
and women who have served in the National Guard.
  In 1981, the South Carolina National Guard Museum and State Weapons 
Collection opened in Sumter, South Carolina. Seventeen years later, the 
museum was renamed and moved to Columbia. Professionally organized by 
director and curator Ewell G. Buddy Sturgis, the museum seeks to 
preserve historically significant properties, to provide educational 
services, and to enhance esprit de corps among men and women serving in 
the South Carolina military.
  Two years ago, Ross E. Beard, Jr., from Camden, South Carolina, 
loaned the museum a vast weapons collection dating from the 1500s. Mr. 
Beard has been collecting rare artifacts since he was 10 years old and 
is revered among weapons collectors. He is a true inspiration to our 
troops who serve to protect our freedoms.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11.

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