Honoring Strom On His 97th
They came from across South Carolina and the nation. They were former governors and ordinary citizens. Some wore suits or dresses, while others showed up in jeans. They were Republicans and Democrats, black and white.
All 1,500 had something in common, however. They all came to see the man Judge Marion H. Kinon called "the greatest man the state of South Carolina has ever produced."
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| Sen. Strom Thurmond turned 97 Sunday. |
"This monument is a flattering gesture and I am proud that I will join other South Carolinians represented across the Capitol grounds," Thurmond said after helping unveil the 17-foot tall, 32-ton monument on the Statehouse's south side.
The 9-foot tall bronze likeness of Thurmond, striding purposefully toward South Main Street, is set atop an 8-foot tall granite base. It was built with $850,000 in private donations.
"I have dedicated my life to public service," Thurmond, a Republican the nation's oldest and longest-serving senator, said. "When I graduated from Clemson I took my first job as a teacher and athletic coach, I had no idea my career would bring me to the U.S. Senate or that a monument to me would be created on the Statehouse grounds just yards from where I served as a state senator and governor."
The adoring crowd included more than 30 of Thurmond's relatives, about 100 former employees, former governors Carroll Campbell, James Edwards and Robert McNair, people who had planned on attending the unveiling for weeks, and some who just stopped by as they strolled across Statehouse grounds. Some were as young as five, some were Thurmond's contemporaries.
The University of South Carolina Band Ensemble provided music and The Citadel provided a color guard and bagpiper.
President Clinton and U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings sent letters of congratulations.
Gov. Jim Hodges, who called Thurmond "the man of the century," related the story of a 6-year-old Thurmond meeting former governor "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman and confidently shaking hands. It was the first of millions of handshakes Thurmond has made in a lifetime as a teacher, soldier, judge, state legislator, governor and U.S. Senator. The story drew a chuckle from Thurmond.
"In an age of bureaucracy, his personal interest has brought government closer to home to millions," said Hodges, a Democrat.
After the ceremony, Thurmond was surrounded by a crod of friends and well-wishers who just wanted to shake hands or snap a picture of the man whose political career spanned most of this century and included all major political parties.
He grew up a Democrat in a state with few Republicans. He parted with the Democrats in 1948 and won electoral votes in the presidential race as a Dixiecrat. In 1964, he became a Republican.
"I can say without equivocation I am proud of the work I've done," said Thurmond, who looked healthy, although he coughed frequently during his speech.
State Sen. John Courson, chairman of the monument commission, noted the legislation needed to erect the monument passed unanimously.
Thurmond's cousin, Sam Strom, his wife, Martha, and their son and daughter-in-law drove from Union for the ceremony.
"I wouldn't have missed this for anything," said Strom, 89. "He's been a great friend to our family and that's why we wanted to come today. The statue is great. It looks just like him."
Thurmond said he hopes the monument will inspire future public servants.
"In particular it is my hope in the years to come, young South Carolinians will look at this statue and other statues that grace these beautiful grounds, and ask themselves, 'How can I make a difference, how can I serve?' It is my hope they will find a way to contribute to this state and this nation."
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