S*1317 Resolution, By Alexander and Jackson
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE COMMAND CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT LAWRENCE W.
 CROWSON OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA AIR NATIONAL GUARD UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS
 RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH
 CAROLINA, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE
 DAYS AHEAD.

   05/21/14  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 6)

TO CONGRATULATE COMMAND CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT LAWRENCE W. CROWSON OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA AIR NATIONAL GUARD UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate has learned that on June 18, 2014, Command Chief Master Sergeant Lawrence W. Crowson will begin a well-deserved retirement after more than forty-two years of meritorious military service, the past thirty-nine with the South Carolina Air National Guard; and

Whereas, born on June 18, 1954, the son of Richard and Dollie Crowson of Bay Springs, Mississippi, Larry Crowson grew up in Sulphur Springs, Texas. A family man, Larry Crowson is the proud husband of Elizabeth Renee Crowson. For the thirty-eight years of their marriage, she has strongly supported her husband in his military career, also serving as mother to their two delightful children, Daniel and Hannah, who have given their parents the joy of six charming grandchildren; and

Whereas, in his role as command chief for the State of South Carolina, Chief Master Sergeant Crowson is responsible to the adjutant general and assistant general for air on quality-of-life issues and concerns for the enlisted airmen. He is stationed at McEntire Joint National Guard Base; and

Whereas, Chief Master Sergeant Crowson enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1972, transferring to active duty in November 1973. He graduated from the Munitions Maintenance Specialist course in March 1974 and was assigned as a munitions maintenance specialist at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. He separated from the Air Force in 1975 and joined the South Carolina Air National Guard that same year, beginning what was to be a distinguished career with that body of nearly four decades, a record that includes service in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Qatar; and

Whereas, as his career advanced, he achieved numerous promotions, beginning with staff sergeant in 1977 and progressing through technical sergeant (1979), master sergeant (1987), senior master sergeant (1989), chief master sergeant (1998), and, finally, command chief master sergeant for the State of South Carolina (2012). He is also current vice president of the South Carolina National Guard Association; and

Whereas, in further preparation for his military career, Chief Master Sergeant Crowson participated in the Noncommissioned Officer Academy Correspondence Program and earned an associate's degree in business data processing at Columbia Commercial Junior College. He regularly continued his education throughout his career, including training at the Air National Guard Noncommissioned Officer Academy in McGhee Tyson, Tennessee, and the ANG Command Chief Orientation course at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas; and

Whereas, this highly decorated airman includes among his many awards the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and

Whereas, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Chief Crowson has bestowed on this great State, the Senate is pleased to wish him well as he enters retirement and trusts he will find much pleasure in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Command Chief Master Sergeant Lawrence W. Crowson of the South Carolina Air National Guard upon the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his many years of service to the State of South Carolina, and extend best wishes for much success and fulfillment in the days ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Command Chief Master Sergeant Lawrence W. Crowson.