S*0680 Resolution, By Wilson, Hayes, Branton, Drummond, Holland, Saleeby, 
J.V. Smith, Land, Setzler, Leatherman, McConnell, Moore, Peeler, Bryan, Courson, 
Giese, Matthews, Thomas, Patterson, Russell, McGill, O'Dell, Passailaigue, 
Washington, Reese, Courtney, Cork, Elliott, Ford, Glover, Gregory, Jackson, 
Martin, Mescher, Rankin, Ryberg, Short, Waldrep, Alexander, Fair, Hutto, 
Anderson, Ravenel and Grooms
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND BRIGADIER GENERAL PHIL P. LEVENTIS, ASSISTANT
 ADJUTANT GENERAL FOR AIR, SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, FOR MORE THAN
 TWENTY-NINE YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE IN PEACE AND IN WAR, AND
 TO EXTEND THE WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS OF HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE TO HIM
 AND HIS FAMILY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM MILITARY SERVICE.

   03/31/99  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-5

TO COMMEND BRIGADIER GENERAL PHIL P. LEVENTIS, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL FOR AIR, SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, FOR MORE THAN TWENTY-NINE YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE IN PEACE AND IN WAR, AND TO EXTEND THE WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS OF HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM MILITARY SERVICE.

Whereas, Brigadier General Phil P. Leventis, the son of a first generation family of Greek immigrants, is an American success story following in the footsteps of a truly All-American family. The son of Peter P. and Tina Palassis Leventis, General Leventis was taught patriotism, community service, and business discipline from an early age by a father who faithfully served as an infantry officer in France where he lost his leg in combat, was a decorated veteran of World War II, and was later named South Carolina's outstanding disabled veteran; and

Whereas, following graduation from the University of Virginia in 1969, with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and a ROTC commission, General Leventis began his military career with five years of active service as an officer in the United States Air Force. Upon release from active duty, General Leventis joined the air arm of the South Carolina National Guard in 1974 and, as a fighter pilot for twenty-three years, has flown the A-7, F102, T33, F-16A and F-16C, rose to the rank of Brigadier General, and now serves as Assistant Adjutant General for Air, South Carolina National Guard. His retirement from military service is scheduled for March 31, 1999; and

Whereas, a successful businessman, General Leventis in his civilian capacity is President and CEO of Dixie Beverage Company. He serves as Chairman of the Board, Sumter National Bank, a community bank he and eight others founded. He is a general partner in LPT, a real estate partnership joining three families of Greek heritage formed in 1918. He is also a member of the Board of Community Bank Shares, Inc., an Orangeburg-based bankholding company; and

Whereas, consistent with his devotion to public service, General Leventis' community service includes service as a Sumter County Airport Commissioner, as President and a member of the Manning Avenue Free Studio Board, member of the Board of Directors and Vice President for Economic Development, Sumter Chamber of Commerce, member of the Rural Grassroots Coordinating Council, the University of South Carolina School of Public Health Partnership Board, and the Sumter Rotary Club; and

Whereas, General Leventis was elected to and has served in the South Carolina Senate from 1981 to the present. In the Senate he is known and respected as an expert on issues involving the Air National Guard, and as a leader on difficult environmental and fiscal issues requiring bipartisan cooperation. In January, 1991, his service in the Senate was interrupted when General Leventis, then a Lieutenant Colonel, took a leave of absence from his Senate seat after volunteering for combat duty during Operation Desert Shield following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. As a fighter pilot with the South Carolina Air National Guard squadron in Saudi Arabia, he flew twenty-one combat missions during Operation Desert Storm over Kuwait and Iraq. In addition, he rendered invaluable service at General Chuck Horner's headquarters in Riyadh. For his services during Operation Desert Storm, General Leventis was awarded the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster and, for a mission over enemy territory on February 4, 1991, the Distinguished Flying Cross; and

Whereas, after twenty-nine years and nine months of military service, and including his decorations from Operation Desert Storm, General Leventis has earned and is entitled to wear the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor with four oak leaf clusters, the Combat Readiness Medal with one service star, the National Defense Service Medal with one service star, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars, the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one service star, the Air Force Training Ribbon, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabian Government), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait); and

Whereas, General Leventis is married to the former Ellen Locker. From 1968 to 1972, Mrs. Leventis was an officer in the Army Nurse Corps and served a tour in Vietnam as a surgical assistant at a MASH hospital, holding the rank of Captain. She presently serves on the Foster Care Board of Review, on the Habitat for Humanity Board, and is active in public education issues. General Leventis and his lovely wife E.V., have four children, Gregory, Henry, Peter, and Christina, to carry on a cherished family tradition of faithful service to their community, state, and nation, both public and private, in peace and in war. General Leventis and his family are all active members of the Church of the Holy Comforter, Sumter. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, commend Brigadier General Phil P. Leventis, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, South Carolina National Guard, for more than twenty-nine years of distinguished military service in peace and in war, and to extend the warmest congratulations of his colleagues in the Senate to him and his family on the occasion of his retirement from military service.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Brigadier General Phil P. Leventis, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, South Carolina National Guard.