Daily Journal: Legion Names Sandifer Top Lawmaker
By Chris , newsed@dailyjm.com
SENECA – The American Legion has selected one of its own as this year’s top legislator.
Rep. Bill Sandifer, a native of Seneca, has been named by South Carolina’s America Legion as the state’s Legislator of the Year.
Sandifer (R-Seneca) retired as a major from the National Guard after 20 years of service, he said. At a meeting held in Columbia in early March state American Legion Commander John Palmer presented Sandifer with a plaque.
Also on hand for the award presentation, said Sandifer, was national American Legion Commander, Ronald F. Conley, who paid Seneca’s Post 120 a visit on Feb. 25. The event marked the first-ever visit by a national Legion commander to Post 120.
Sandifer said being selected by the American Legion as the state’s number-one lawmaker, “Has very, very special meaning”. He attributed his deep appreciation to the fact that he has belonged to the American Legion for roughly 35 years.
“The American Legion plays a very important part in my life”, he said.
Sandifer, an air defense officer, split his duty in the National Guard between units in Seneca, Easley and Anderson.
“My true specialty was supply”, he said. For many years, Sandifer said, he served as his battalion’s supply officer. “I had a great career.”
Sandifer, who said his father was once a post and district Legion commander, doesn’t believe a chest full of ribbons necessarily makes a military man or woman a hero.
He said he told a group of veterans at a recent conference that you don’t have to have been awarded the Medal of Honor, or the bronze star, or other medals and ribbons, to be a hero.
But, instead, just donning the uniform and maintaining your commitment to freedom, regardless off your occupational specialty, he said, makes you a hero.