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TO CONGRATULATE COLONEL BEVERLY "BEN" SKARDON OF CLEMSON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Colonel Beverly "Ben" Skardon will celebrate his one hundredth birthday on July 14, 2017; and
Whereas, Ben and his family moved to South Carolina when he was eight. His father, an Episcopal minister, impressed upon his children the virtues of honor and sacrifice; and
Whereas, after graduating from Clemson College, now Clemson University, he was called to active duty in 1939, fulfilling a childhood dream of serving in the Army and was stationed in the Philippines; and
Whereas, Skardon was captured by the Japanese in 1942 and was subjected to marching mile after agonizing mile on the infamous Bataan Death March, suffering harsh treatment from guards and enduring reoccurring bouts with malaria; and
Whereas, after being freed in 1945, Skardon returned to his alma mater and began teaching English courses, with his love of literature and life serving as an inspiration to everyone who entered into his classroom; and
Whereas, in honor of those who did not make it home, Ben participates in the Bataan Memorial Death March, surrounded by "Ben's Brigade," as the only survivor of the real Bataan Death March, marching eight and a half miles through the unforgiving New Mexico desert on his tenth march at the young age of ninety nine; and
Whereas, grateful for his service to his country and his impact as an educator, the House of Representatives is proud to honor Ben at the celebration of his one hundredth birthday and congratulate him on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Colonel Beverly "Ben" Skardon on the occasion of his one hundredth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Colonel Beverly "Ben" Skardon.
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