A GIANT LAID TO REST THIS WEEK

It was not featured on the national news, but a true patriot and political giant was laid to rest in Meridian, Mississippi on Tuesday.

Former Congressman Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery died last Friday in his hometown of complications from a prior abdominal surgery. He was 85.

Montgomery served East Central Mississippi for three decades, but his legacy will be mainly his work on behalf of our armed forces and those who serve in them, and as author of what is known as the Montgomery G.I. Bill.

A Democrat, he received numerous honours for his distinguished public service. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honour, last year. In 1995, the year before his retiring from the House, Montgomery received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Service, which is the highest civilian award given by the Pentagon.

This piece from the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson spotlights his life and career, and how much he cared for our men and women in uniform. One particular item caught my eye:

Kyle Steward, a longtime Montgomery aide who now works in (Congressman Roger) Wicker's Tupelo office, said Montgomery always spent the Christmas break with the troops.

"During the Vietnam War, he'd carry these note cards around with him. He'd have every Mississippian fill out a card. He would take those cards and call their wife or parents," Steward recalled in a 2004 interview.

When he got back to Washington, he'd ring a few every night, Steward said.

And Steward's other comments about this political legend are shared by many Mississippians and Americans:

"Sonny gave politics a good name. He was a wonderful Christian gentleman who had a remarkable ability to get along with people and make things happen.

"He was the guy everyone looked to for leadership throughout his life. At Mississippi State University, in the military, in business, and in public service, Sonny was always out front."

God knows we need more Sonny Montgomerys today.