(Columbia) Nov. 30, 2004 - It was a day of personal
triumph mixed with profound sadness. Carl
Anderson was sworn in as a state representative for
the first time.
There was a sense of pride and accomplishment, but
also a reminder of his great loss. Speaker David
Wilkins, "Representative Anderson, we honor your
sacrifice. You carry the gratitude of an entire nation
with you. May God bless you and your family."
He was recognized by his fellow House members. They
call his son a hero. Monday was the three month
anniversary of Carl Anderson Junior's death. The senior
Anderson says the Airman died at the age of 21 as a
casualty of the war in Iraq, "It brought back some
memories today. But it was a great honor also, because
he wanted to serve his country and he said, 'Daddy I got
a job to do and I'm going to do my job until the
end.'"
Anderson senior says his son's smile would have been
bigger than ever on Tuesday, "At one point after the
death, I felt like stepping out of the race. But I could
hear that voice, 'Daddy, you told us always to keep
going.' So I ran even stronger then, and knowing he was
right there supporting me, because I could feel his
presence."
Representative Anderson promises to be an advocate
for South Carolina's military and his first goal to make
sure is to make sure Shaw Air Force Base stays open,
"They have been very kind to us, very cooperative. There
has not been anything that we have not asked for that
they have not saw that it hasn't been taken care
of."
The lawmaker pledges to do his best for the state
guided, he says, by a son who paid the ultimate price
for our country, "God needed him to be there with him.
For that reason, I am satisfied that he gave his life.
He died on the battlefield for all of us."
Anderson says he will also use his faith for
inspiration, "He would want us to continue living a good
life and to be happy. Knowing he did all he could do
while he was alive and he knew that we could to bring
him up in the right way."
By Catherine
Reynolds
Updated 10:04pm by BrettWitt
