The Catch-A-Dream Bass Classic is charitable competitive bass tournament held annually on the 1st Sunday in May on Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson, MS in Sonny’s honor.
To learn more: https://bassclassic.catchadream.org/
He Picked Up the Phone!
January 30, 2023 By Leave a Comment
I called his Washington DC office to talk to a staffer about a concern I had about an issue dealing with military families. I had called his office because he was on The Armed Services Committee in Congress.
I had a 10 minute emotional statement about the issue and I finished my statement by asking the staffer to make sure “Sonny” got my concern. I was shocked when he said,”this is Sonny. I like to take calls on the weekends”. He said he had a very good Retired Colonel working for him and he would have the Colonel investigate the issue and call me back after he has information on it.
The Colonel called me back in a few days and he said he had requested Congressional Library to research the issue and he told me what they had to say on the issue.
I was honored to talk to him and was very impressed how he listened to me for at least 10 minutes – maybe longer.
Jimmy Hardenbrook
Waters receives Commendation Award – August, 2022
August 8, 2022 By Leave a Comment
From The Clinton Courier:
Clinton artist Wyatt Waters (far left) and restaurateur, chef and author Robert St. John (second from right) recently received a Commendation Award from the G.V.”Sonny” Montgomery Foundation for their special feature, “Sacred Connections” on their Mississippi Public Television Show, Palate to Palette.
G.V. Sonny Montgomery Foundation establishes scholarship for MSU-Meridian’s physician assistant program
March 8, 2022 By Leave a Comment
From Mississippi State University – Meridian:
Brad Crawford, president, and executive director of the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Foundation and Adriana Fuentealba of Gulf Breeze, Florida, the first recipient of the Montgomery Physician Assistant Scholarship at Mississippi State University-Meridian.
MERIDIAN, Miss.—A 23-year-old Mississippi State Physician Assistant Studies student from Florida is the first recipient of the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Physician Assistant Scholarship at MSU-Meridian.
Adriana Fuentealba of Gulf Breeze, Florida, previously a surgical technician in medical research at the Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio, Texas, began the MSU-Meridian program this year.
“The G.V. ‘Sonny’ Montgomery Foundation is proud to support the Physician Assistant Studies program at Mississippi State by providing $12,500 to Adriana over the two and a half years of the program,” said Brad Crawford, president, and executive director.
Although Fuentealba is the first scholarship recipient, Crawford noted the foundation plans to “expand the scholarship to three students over the next three years. We see this investment as a win-win for MSU, the Meridian campus and veterans—all done in the spirit of Sonny Montgomery,” he added.
EANGUS Eagle Award to Senator Joni Ernst – March, 2021
March 1, 2021 By Leave a Comment
From the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States:
The 2021 G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Eagle Award was presented to U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, Iowa, during the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) Legislative Workshop conducted virtually on Saturday, February 27, 2021. Senator Ernst was recognized for her continuing record of support for National Guard members. She has been instrumental in the introduction of significant legislation impacting our members to include the Senate’s Support our National Guard Act which will provide transitional health care benefits to National Guard members who responded to the COVID-19 pandemic under Title 32 orders.
Sonny As A Next Door Neighbor
October 14, 2020 By Leave a Comment
I was born and raised in Meridian living on Country Club Drive with one of the fairways of the Northwood Country Club behind our house.
I don’t remember or having been told when Sonny purchased the duplex next door to us. He kept one of the apartments for himself when he was back in town from Washington DC. He often would come over to say hello to my parents. This was especially the case following the death of my oldest sister in January 1970.
He even sponsored me as the Primary Candidate to the USAF Academy in 1973 even though I was not ultimately selected. Later, while I was on active duty with the Air Force my father passed in 1986 . . . I was told that it was from the personal efforts of my father’s employer and Sonny who made the arrangements to have my Dad buried in the VA Veterans Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Richard Blanton
G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Honored With NGEF Christmas Ornament
September 14, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Each year the National Guard Educational Foundation produces a unique National Guard Christmas Ornament. Rarely, If ever, does the ornament depict an individual, but this year they have chosen to honor Sonny on the 100th year anniversary of his birth.
2020 NGEF Commemorative Ornament
2020 NGEF Commemorative Ornament, 8th Edition
This oil-on-canvas painting adorns the Montgomery Room inside the National Guard Memorial, named for Gillespie V. “Sonny” Montgomery (August 5, 1920 – May 12, 2006). A Mississippi Guardsman and veteran of World War II and Korea, Sonny Montgomery retired as a Major General in 1980.
He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years (D-MS), during which he sponsored the Montgomery G.I. Bill. This educational benefit remains a widely used resource for Guardsmen and their families.
Throughout his career, Sonny was a staunch supporter of the National Guard Association of the United States and advocated for the Guard on Capitol Hill.
Placing Flowers At Grave Site Of Former Congressman Sonny Montgomery For 100th Birthday
August 10, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Board Members of the GVMF visited the grave site of former Congressman Sonny Montgomery in Magnolia Cemetery on August 5th, 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.
L to R: Brad Crawford, David Kennard, Wanda Hardy(Florist), Pam Stevenson, Bo Maske, Ronnie Walton, Bob Bailey
A Centennial Celebration of Congressman G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Virtual Exhibit
August 5, 2020 By Leave a Comment
“A Centennial Celebration of Congressman G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery” is a virtual exhibit commemorating the 100th birthday of Congressman Sonny Montgomery, a WWII and Korean War veteran, an alumnus of MSU, and a beloved former congressman from Mississippi’s 3rd congressional district.
The exhibit is a collaborative effort between the Congressional and Political Research Center, the Digital Preservation and Access Unit, and the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center, all of MSU Libraries.
Click here to explore introductory information, individual themed “exhibit cases,” and more via the links on the MSU University Libraries site!
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