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TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE CAPTAIN CHARLES F. GANDY, JR., POST 6734 OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS IN GREENVILLE COUNTY FOR ITS SIGNIFICANT SERVICE TO VETERANS AND TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO CONGRATULATE THE MEMBERS UPON THE CELEBRATION OF THE SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF POST 6734.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are delighted to learn that the Captain Charles F. Gandy, Jr., Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6734 will celebrate seven decades of service to veterans in the Upstate during the weekend of April 8-10, 2016; and
Whereas, under the leadership of John and Wyle Culbertson, a group of World War II veterans met in the basement of the Phillis Wheatley Community Center in 1945 to formulate plans for a VFW post; and
Whereas, organized on April 8, 1946, the Captain Charles F. Gandy, Jr., VFW Post 6734 had forty-six charter members, who elected J. H. Lendhart as the post's first commander. The post now has grown to two hundred fifty-three active members; and
Whereas, Charles Gandy, a native of Charleston, moved as a child with his family to Greenville where he received his primary education. After graduation from Virginia Union University, he was inducted into the United States Army in 1941 during World War II and was rapidly promoted to captain; and
Whereas, part of the 92nd Infantry, the only black division to see combat in Europe, he and his infantry company in Italy, penetrated the infamous Gothic Line under persistent fire, foiling crucial German communications, and then freed Mount Pisano and eliminated enemy resistance around Pisa. His company was the first to enter the city of Lucca, where a three-day battle with Germans ensued, during which he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, giving his life to sniper fire on October 12, 1944; and
Whereas, for seventy years, Post 6734 has honored the courage and heroism of Captain Gandy for whom it is named, and its members have sought to continue his legacy through their service, having been honored as an All-American Post; and
Whereas, Post 6734 and its Auxiliary assist disabled veterans and widows in filing benefit claims; sell Buddy Poppies every November to assist disabled veterans, as well as the widows and orphans of deceased veterans; and provide an honor guard for military funerals; and
Whereas, a sponsor of a junior girls softball team, Post 6734 holds the annual Voice of Democracy contest for which it has issued certificates, awards, and bonds to participating school students; and
Whereas, the Commander's Ball of Post 6734 was begun in 1962 and has become an annual gala that members and their guests await with much anticipation; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate value the service of the Charles F. Gandy, Jr., VFW Post 6734 and look to hear of the continued accomplishments of these dedicated veterans as they celebrate their seventieth anniversary. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend Post 6734 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Greenville County for its significant service to veterans and to the community and congratulate the members upon the celebration of the seventieth anniversary of Post 6734.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Jay Irick, Commander of the Charles F. Gandy, Jr., VFW Post 6734.
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