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Article published Jan 13, 2004
Sanford's budget cuts caisson team funding
Associated Press
CHARLESTON -- Gov. Mark Sanford's
executive budget would cut money for the state's eight-horse caisson team and
likely mean disbanding the unit, which has led the funeral processions of former
U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, U.S. Rep. Floyd Spence and police officers killed in
the line of duty."When you're starting a budget process $350 million in the hole
and you're trying to protect and, in many cases, increase funding to those core
services government ought to provide -- education and health care -- difficult
decisions need to be made," Sanford spokesman Will Folks said.Sanford proposes
eliminating $100,000 for the team, but the volunteers who run it say they can't
raise that much in donations."There are certain things that transcend money,"
said Maj. Steve Riggs, who heads the 15-volunteer unit. "What price do you put
on someone who spent their last moments on Earth protecting us?"Folks said
Sanford is not disputing the team is a worthwhile and has promised to help raise
the money from private sources.Riggs doubts Sanford's willingness to help the
unit, sworn into service as part of the state adjutant general's office in
1998."I've done all that I can do. If it gets cut, it's over," said Riggs, who
spent $100,000 of his own money to help form the unit. The $100,000 a year in
state money pays for feeding, boarding, transporting and outfitting the
horses.The unit has participated in the funerals of about 25 soldiers, police
officers and dignitaries. Saturday it carried the casket of Army Capt. Kimberly
Hampton, an Easley pilot killed Jan. 2 when her helicopter was shot down in
Iraq.Riggs estimated if the volunteers were paid, the caisson would cost
$300,000 a year and a single burial would cost $6,000.President Bush personally
thanked Riggs for his volunteer efforts in July 2002. Sanford, then running for
governor, was in the crowd with Riggs to greet the president.Riggs said he asked
Sanford whether he would cut the caisson funding if elected. He said Sanford
replied the state would lynch him if he did."He's in the Reserve, and he's said
he wants to be a role model to his children," Riggs said. "What kind of role
model cuts one of the last true vestiges of military tradition in the
state?"It's unclear whether lawmakers will approve Sanford's proposal.When
former Gov. Jim Hodges did not include caisson funding in his 2002 budget,
Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, made sure the money was
inserted.Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, said he would work
to make sure the unit has its money. "If we can't provide a caisson for those
protecting our freedom and willing to give their lives, I don't understand it,"
he said.