Like most folks in Meridian, I knew Sonny. Not well, but I knew the man and I knew he represented our area in Congress really well.

In July 1981, I was one of the assistant scoutmasters of the Choctaw Area Council National Jamboree Troop. Four of us adults were taking our area troop of about 30 boys, to the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia. Fort Hill is near Fredericksburg, and so, a side trip to Washington was planned on the way to the Jamboree. I am assuming that the Scout Executive in Meridian arranged the Washington “touristy trip” as I know none of the adult Scout leaders did it.

We arrived in Washington by train on a very rainy Saturday morning and boarded a bus that took us to the capitol building. We had been told that Sonny’s office had set up a tour of the building for us. We adults assumed we might be met by a young aide from Sonny’s office for a routine tour.

We got the surprise of our lives when we got off the bus! In addition to Mr. Vance being there to greet us, Sonny was there too. Sonny took us places in the capitol that normal tourists don’t get to go. He escorted us to the floor of the United States House of Representatives. He let the Scouts sit at various desks in the House. He pointed out the initials carved in the desks by men that we (Scouts and adult leaders) had only read about in history books! We didn’t get the 50 cent tour. We got the 50 dollar tour!

After we left the capitol we emphasized to the Scouts (I think some of the older boys realized this already) that we had been treated to a special tour by OUR congressman – a man that we all greatly admired and respected. We made sure the boys knew that this was no ordinary tour.

This story of mine shows again what Sonny was all about. He never forgot where he came from. He was one of us.

Bob Chatham

As a child growing up in East Mississippi, “Sonny” Montgomery was “our” Congressman. To us, in rural Newton County, he was bigger than life.

After high school I enlisted in the Air Force and went off for basic and then technical training. Once that was completed, I (age 18) was headed home to Mississippi for leave. Needless to say, having never been far from Mississippi before, I was feeling pretty full of myself. As I arrived via plane at Jackson, I headed down the jet way. I’d been traveling for a while (in uniform) and didn’t take the time to button my collar, tie back my tie or button my coat. I am quite sure I looked a mess.

Mississippi Congressman and Brigadier General G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery, c1991.

When I entered the gate terminal I recognized a man standing there and waiting to board his own flight. I had never met him, personally, but there was no mistake that it was Sonny Montgomery, probably on his way back to Washington. I tried to keep walking but he said, in a gentle but firm voice, “Young man, it is our job to set the example”. I could say nothing but “Yes Sir”. I knew what he meant. He was talking about those of us in uniform.

With that, I headed straight to nearest restroom to straighten myself up. When I came out, he was still standing there. He simply smiled and gave me his signature “thumbs up”. Without a word, I headed as quickly as I could to meet my parents who were waiting to take me home.

I could not have known on that day when I met Sonny “personally” for the first time that our paths would cross again many times. Because of his support of the military and our education benefits, I was able to go to college and later became an officer in the Navy. I even have advanced degrees because of the Montgomery GI Bill. One of my fondest memories during active duty was to be able to come back to Mississippi and be the first Commanding Officer of the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Naval Reserve Center in Meridian. By then Sonny and I had become friends and he was a mentor to me. I was able to introduce him, tell this story during the dedication ceremony and tell him that at “his” Center, “It will always be our job to set the example”.

He remembered and, yes, I got a “thumbs up” that day too.

Randy Reeves

My father, Bob Bailey, was a close friend of Sonny’s and through that relationship, I had the chance to meet Sonny many times while growing up in Yazoo City.  I have fond memories of Sonny, Charlie Shamburger and my dad telling stories about the days at Mississippi State and reminiscing of their past.  My sister, Mollie Dent, had the opportunity to serve Sonny as his Congressional Page on two different occasions.

My favorite memory of Sonny has to be when I served in Washington as his Congressional Page in the Spring of 1981.  It occurred February 18, 1981 when newly elected President Ronald Reagan gave his first Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the Program for Economic Recovery.  I remember there was a great deal of excitement and optimism around President Reagan and his presidency at that time.

I rented a room at Miss George Smith’s Boarding House with about 20 other Pages.  I got word early that day that I would have the chance to go with Sonny to the President’s Address that evening.  I didn’t think much of it as my day was filled with running committee papers, letters and other documents from Sonny’s office to various members of Congress in the different House Office buildings.  It wasn’t until I went back to the boarding house to change and get cleaned up that I realized how unique the invite from Sonny was.  No other Page from the boarding house had been invited by their Congressman or Senator.

I met Sonny at the Capitol where we arrived early for security.  As I walked in with Sonny, I remember being questioned on why I was there and to this day, I can see Sonny turning around and very politely telling the Door Keeper, “he’s my Page and is coming with me”.  There were no questions after that.

As members of the House, Senate and other dignitaries took their seats, I vividly recall looking around on the floor of the House Chamber at the Capitol and easily being able to count on both hands with a finger or two to spare, the other Pages along with me on the floor.  Looking back on it, I’m not sure why he chose me to go with him, but I’m very thankful he did as I had the chance to shake President Reagan’s hand along with the hand of Sonny’s close personal friend, Vice President George H. W. Bush.

I recall walking the halls with Sonny on different occasions and remember the respect everyone showed him and the respect he showed others.  I’m pretty sure that is one of the many reasons he was appointed Chairman of the US House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs from 1981 – 1994 along with his tireless dedication and service to the military he loved.  Mississippi and the 3rd District are better because of Sonny and I’m honored to have worked for him.  I also wear with pride a cashmere sweater that has the Vice Presidents name and seal, given to Sonny by 41 and in turn given to my dad by Sonny.  Thanks for letting me share these memories and this photo.

Richard H Dent