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TO SALUTE JOHN CHARLES "BULLIT" KILLIAN OF CHESTER COUNTY FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY, STATE, AND NATION; TO CONGRATULATE HIM AT THE CELEBRATION OF HIS EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY; AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, on December 9, 2021, John Charles "Bullit" Killian will awaken to the celebration of a milestone event: his eightieth birthday. Born in Chester County on December 9, 1941, he has lived a life devoted to serving others, both at home and abroad, and is a remarkable son of South Carolina, deserving of much praise; and
Whereas, as a young man, Bullit Killian married the former Mary Edith Hare, and together they reared two lovely daughters, Tiffany and Renee. The senior Killians have enjoyed sixty years of wedded happiness, as well as the blessing of three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, with another on the way; and
Whereas, a few years into their marriage, at the age of twenty-four, he was drafted into the military and joined the Marine Corps, serving from January 25, 1966, to January 16, 1968, and following in his father's footsteps, also a Marine, who served in the Pacific during World War II; and
Whereas, Bullit Killian's path to the Marine Corps was memorable in and of itself. In 1965, after his arrival at the induction center with six or seven classmates, also draftees, a Marine sergeant asked for ten volunteers to step forward. Bullit's friend Richard Simmons pushed him forward, and the rest is history. He credits that incident as a life-saving one, due to the training he received as a Marine; and
Whereas, stationed at South Carolina's Parris Island for basic training, Bullit Killian was sent to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for infantry and electrician 1141 school. He served at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina as an electrician and then volunteered for air conditioning and refrigeration school, only to receive orders one month later for Vietnam; and
Whereas, in Vietnam, he was stationed at Phu Bai Combat Base. There, he served in all aspects of the team's work, including lanyard puller, before becoming gun chief for a 155 howitzer. As a gun chief, he and his fellow Marines found it necessary in one fight to cool off the howitzer's barrel with water because they had fired so many rounds; and
Whereas, after serving his country honorably as a corporal, and earning the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Rifle Marksman Badge, Bullit Killian returned to Chester County to be with his family. Over the years, he worked for Cone Mills in Carlisle, as well as Shugart Manufacturing and Boise Cascade as a machinist or millwright; and
Whereas, as a veteran, Bullit Killian has been a member of the Marine Corps League since it was chartered and has served that organization as an officer and as its memorial brick contact. For the past ten years, he has served the American Legion as commander of Post 27 and as a state-level assistant chaplain; and
Whereas, this man of faith is a committed member of Woodward Baptist Church, where he has served in numerous positions. He also has served two terms on the Chester County School Board and is a Mason with Sandy River Lodge 204; and
Whereas, it is a very great pleasure to celebrate this son of South Carolina on the occasion of his eightieth birthday and to honor his many years of service to his community, State, and nation. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, salute John Charles "Bullit" Killian of Chester County for a lifetime of service to his community, State, and nation; congratulate him at the celebration of his eightieth birthday; and wish him much health and happiness in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to John Charles "Bullit" Killian.
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