Secretary Perry to help salute Montgomery

The U.S. secretary of defense last week joined the ranks of dignitaries who will participate in a tribute next month for retiring Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery.

William Perry, along with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown, will join former President George Bush, Mississippi novelist John Grisham and actress Sela Ward in honoring the 3rd District Congressman and senior member of the state's Washington delegation. Ward, like Montgomery, is a Meridian native.

Called "Salute to a Patriot," the Sept. 12 gala in Arlington, Va., is being organized and hosted by Mississippi State University. Montgomery is a 1943 graduate of the university who began his political career as a member of the Mississippi Legislature.

"History will be kind to Sonny Montgomery," Secretary Brown said. "He's earned a special place in it."

Montgomery, who has served in Congress since 1966, is the chief architect of a 1984 peacetime GI education bill that bears his name. More than 2 million participants have earned educational benefits under the program.

Persons buying tickets for the tribute at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott Hotel are contributing to the establishment of a scholarship fund in Montgomery's honor, said Dr. Billy Ward, vice president for institutional advancement.

"When fully endowed, the fund will support one of Mississippi State's premier scholarship programs," Ward said.

In addition to Grisham, honorary chairs for the salute are Sara Lee Corp. chairman John H. Bryan, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin L. Powell, and Rep. Mike Parker (R-Miss).

For more information on tickets to the Montgomery tribute, telephone the Mississippi State University Foundation at 325-3410