TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LARRY DANDRIDGE OF CHARLESTON FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF CHARLESTON AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives recognizes those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to the welfare of this great state's citizenry. Having spent many years working to enhance the lives of others, Larry Dandridge of Charleston exemplifies such South Carolinians; and

Whereas, Larry grew up on James Island, in Charleston, and in Mount Pleasant and graduated from Murray Vocational High School in 1965 as a well-known local-area star athlete and president of his senior class. He was selected as "best all-around" and "most likely to succeed" by his peers. He joined the U.S. Army a year later. Larry was an Army enlisted infantryman and aviation warrant officer and an aviation commissioned officer in the Army from 1967 to 1991. He served in the 121st Assault Helicopter Company flying Huey gunships and Cobra attack helicopters in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969; and

Whereas, now a 100%-disabled Vietnam-era wounded warrior, as well as a retired Army lieutenant colonel and aviator, Larry is also the founder, chief operating manager, editor, and senior writer with Tigers, Vikings, and Vipers Publishing, LLC. He is an accomplished motivational speaker and writer. His leadership, aerospace, business, and logistics articles have been published in more than twenty-four magazines, journals, and newspapers, and his books have been published in the United States, Germany, Canada, and Britain; and

Whereas, as part of his service to his hometown, Larry works with local-area veterans through the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston and Fisher House Charleston. He is a volunteer patient adviser and member of the CEO's Veterans Service Officer Advisory Council at the medical center; and

Whereas, further, he serves through membership in various patriotic organizations, including the Association of the U.S. Army (vice president for veteran affairs for the Charleston chapter), Military Officers Association, Army Aviation Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, American Legion, Purple Heart Society, and many other such groups; and

Whereas, this committed champion of our veterans is the author of the award-winning and five-star-reviewed book Blades of Thunder (Book One), which he wrote to help raise funds and recruit volunteers for Fisher House Charleston and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Larry's speeches and book sales have raised more than seventy thousand dollars for Fisher House Charleston; and

Whereas, the members of the House recognize that the success of the State of South Carolina, the strength of its communities, and the vitality of American society as a whole depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of individuals like Larry Dandridge who use their talents and resources to serve others. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Larry Dandridge of Charleston for his many years of dedicated community service to the people of Charleston and extend best wishes as he continues to serve in the years ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Larry Dandridge.