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S. 261

STATUS INFORMATION

Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Scott
Document Path: l:\council\bills\rm\1001htc09.docx

Introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2009
Adopted by the Senate on January 13, 2009

Summary: Major General John R. Lester

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   1/13/2009  Senate  Introduced and adopted SJ-201

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/13/2009

TO CONGRATULATE MAJOR GENERAL JOHN R. LESTER OF MYRTLE BEACH, COMMANDER OF THE JOINT SERVICES DETACHMENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY DEPARTMENT, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED MILITARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina Senate honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to the welfare of this great State's citizenry; and

Whereas, Major General John R. Lester of Myrtle Beach, retiring commander of the Joint Services Detachment of the South Carolina Military Department, stands among their number as an outstanding public servant, one much admired in his role as both attorney and military leader; and

Whereas, born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, young John moved to Florence in 1952. In preparation for his life's work, he earned a bachelor's degree at the University of South Carolina in 1964 and his juris doctorate degree from the same institution in 1967; and

Whereas, he spent four years on active duty as a legal officer for the United States Air Force, with assignments at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida; Phang Rang Air Force Base, Republic of Vietnam; and Athena Air Base, Greece. He served sixteen years in the Air Force Reserve, with assignments and duties at Shaw Air Force Base; Ninth Air Force, Tactical Air Command, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Air Reserve Personnel Center; and the Pentagon. He retired from the United States Air Force Reserves with the rank of colonel; and

Whereas, following retirement from the reserves, he began his service with the Joint Services Detachment of the South Carolina Military Department, serving without pay in this volunteer organization; and

Whereas, for his military accomplishments, he has been granted many decorations and awards, among them the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star medal, Meritorious Service medal, Air Force Commendation medal, National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Service medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Device, and South Carolina Military Department Meritorious Service medal; and

Whereas, as part of a committed involvement with his community, John R. Lester has served as chairman of the board of his church, president of a United Way agency, vice president of a community theatre, and board member of the state trial lawyers association, in addition to numerous other such posts. For his services, appreciative organizations have bestowed on him the Billy Robinson Public Service Award and the South Carolina Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award. In his civilian capacity, he is a real estate lawyer with the law firm of Lester & Lester, P.A., in Myrtle Beach; and

Whereas, he and his wife, the former Jane Mallette, have raised a fine family of two children, daughter Lydia, who is currently working on a master's degree at the College of Charleston, and son Robert, a Citadel graduate presently employed as a civil engineer; and

Whereas, having made his mark and set the bar of achievement extraordinarily high in his military service, John R. Lester will be remembered with affection and gratitude by colleagues and legislative friends for years to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Major General John R. Lester of Myrtle Beach, commander of the Joint Services Detachment of the South Carolina Military Department, upon the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his many years of dedicated military service, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to General Lester.

This web page was last updated on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 2:40 P.M.