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TO HONOR COMMANDER FRED M. DETWILER OF SUMMERTON UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MANY MORE YEARS OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Commander Fred M. Detwiler of Summerton will celebrate his ninetieth birthday on June 8, 2007; and
Whereas, the son of Fred Detwiler and Ann Thompson was born on June 8, 1917, in Portland, Oregon, not long after the dawn of the twentieth century, and as that century and the beginnings of the twenty-first century have brought incredible changes and developments to this nation, Commander Detwiler has been there to witness nearly all of them; and
Whereas, he is the beloved husband of Patsy Brewer and father of Laurie D. Martin and Donna M. Bliss. He is also proud to boast five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, in June 1941, Commander Detwiler graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 1942 completed Officers Training at Harvard Graduate School; and
Whereas, a decorated veteran, he served in three wars including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Conflict; and
Whereas, he was on active duty in the Pacific during World War II and was the recipient of four Battle Stars as a result; and
Whereas, he joined the regular Navy in 1945, and in 1950 during the Korean War, he was assigned to Charleston to ready ships for duty; and
Whereas, his long and storied military career also included meeting General Mabutu, ruler of the former Belgian Congo; and
Whereas, before his retirement in 1966, he was to be involved in the mission to plan a complete invasion of Cuba when the Cuban Crisis was at hand; however, at the last minute President Kennedy canceled the mission. Commander Detwiler was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his part in this planning; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives is proud to acknowledge the service that Commander Detwiler provided to his country and to honor this patriotic American at the celebration of his ninetieth birthday and joins with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, congratulate Commander Fred M. Detwiler upon the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and many more years of health and happiness.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Commander Fred M. Detwiler of Summerton.
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