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Knotts Seeks Vets Designation on Drivers Licenses

The bill that the Lexington senator is sponsoring would make South Carolina the ninth state to offer such special licenses for military veterans.

S.C. Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, is sponsoring a bill that would enable honorably discharged military veterans to get a special designation affixed on their drivers license, according to this Associated Press report.


In addition to the honor of it, the official recognition would also enable vets to prove their status, making it easier for them to take advantage of discounts on goods and services offered to vets, said Knotts, who is a Vietnam-era Navy veteran.

"I think veterans need to have some recognition for the job they've done and their service to our country," Knotts told the AP. "And businesses may not know who is a veteran or who isn't. This makes it clear."

Democratic Sen. Phil Leventis, of Sumter, is also a veteran and whose wife served as a nurse in Vietnam, but he fretted to the AP that with more than 400,000 military veterans in the state, the change could add to significant wait times at DMV offices.

"I'm very appreciative of military service, but I think we also ought to think carefully about emphasizing only one facet of what builds our nation. What about giving the recognition to teachers?" Leventis told the AP.

Harry Meetze March 22, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Way to go jake knotts viet nam veteran butchmeetze
George Grace March 23, 2012 at 03:54 am
I'm a vet. and I never saw the need to proclaim it to the world. We, and our families know, that's enough. Is Jake Knotts a veteran? He looks awful fat now.
George Grace March 23, 2012 at 03:57 am
And I never saw the need to wear a ballcap proclaiming what service I was in. It's like what a person did when he was 19 was the last significant thing he did in life.
Brian Carnecki March 23, 2012 at 11:32 am
George - there is no "need" to wear a cap. Some of us are just proud of the branch we served. Kind of like a college grad wearing a polo shirt of the university he or she attended. Us Marines like to wear ours so others know that they are in the presence of the worlds finest. :) Semper Fi. Pass the law!
George Grace March 23, 2012 at 01:22 pm
I'm glad you're proud, I am too. I just chuckle at all the old men wearing service ballcaps. Not a big deal.
Cold War Vet March 23, 2012 at 08:07 pm
I wear my retired ball cap all the time. I'm proud to wear it. I'm proud to be an American, proud to have served for 24 years and proud to proclaim it. God Bless our military, our retirees, our veterans and the United States of America. But, we don't need a designation on our driver's license. We can designate our service by getting the appropriate vehicle license plate from the DMV.
Tom Musolf March 24, 2012 at 05:13 am
That old man wearing the service ball cap is the one that made it possible for you to type "letters to the editor"
in English.
George Grace March 24, 2012 at 03:55 pm
Really?
And when we we in danger of being conquered by anyone. We fought Germany to preseve free Europe, and we should have, but Germany could not get to the US because they had no ships, only submarines. And Russia could have destroyed us with missles but never invaded, same reason - no ships. What other wars were we in danger. Iraq, Vietnam? In Vietnam for 10 years. We killed 3 million people, lost 57,000. for what? Containment? I think it was national ego, we couldn't admit defeat, until we were defeated. Then vietnam rebuilt itself into a peaceful, trading partner of the US. They never became a partner of the Soviet Union, which our generals and "neo-con" policy thinkers at the time thought. So tell me again how lucky I am to type letters to the editor in English.
George Grace March 24, 2012 at 03:59 pm
I've come to believe you can't trust politicians. They only tell you one-half what they're thinking or planning. You have to study and make your own decisions, hold their feet to the fire, and vote out the ones that are too deceptive.
Vote out Joe Wilson.
George Grace March 24, 2012 at 04:08 pm
I forgot Japan.
Japan wanted free rein in the Pacific, thus Pearl Harbor. They never planned to invade. We had to fight Japan and Germany; Pearl Harbor and Germany declared war on us but don't tell me we were in danger of being invaded. Korea - are you kidding.
T.M.Goldman June 12, 2012 at 06:05 pm
I, as a veteran of two different branches of the military and two different Police actions, am proud to know that men of your caliber Mr. Grace is out there defending our honor. It sends chills up and down my leg. "PUTZ."

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Samantha O'Conner June 18, 2013 at 12:57 pm
I never said I was entitled, thank you very much. I am a responsible parent, I buy all my son'sRead More clothes, school items, necessities, etc with my money with no help from his father. I have no family to ask for help from even if I did need it. I'm just saying that the Federal Government supplies the money for the food because of people needing the assistance. The School District tries to help as many kids as it can because they can. It's nice when people help for that reason and no other, and idiots like you probably are those that grumble about people getting assistance because you don't qualify. I want what's best for my kid, I think most people can understand that. If not, oh well.
Jennifer Kelly June 18, 2013 at 03:34 pm
Samantha - How disappointing is the info in this Article! I am a long time supporter of theRead More Lexington YMCA and while looking on the web today I came across this post. So I called Adam the Director of the Lexington YMCA and I have Great News for you today. For starters, hats off to the KOHLS Care Crew who volunteered last week at the Lexington YMCA with snacks and food and their time All for FREE! Thanks KOHL's employees across the state who were here to give of their time and dedication to giving back to our communities. I also must say Thank you for all of the Corporate Sponsors that assist our YMCA's and help these kids have the opportunity to get involved in sports, camps, summer and afterschool programs throughout the year. But best of all, they are working with a sponsor to have the ability to have lunch for the families whose child needs assistance. Adam is working as hard as they can to get this program in place as soon as they possibly can. We need to work together for solutions and in Lexington we are family and Family helps Family. So Adam let us know where else you need help so as a community we can rise up and support what ya'll are doing with this great summer camp program and sports programs that are offered here in Lexington, SC for our kids! THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING AT OUR Y!!!!
Shelly June 19, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Galen, I agree with you. No one is entitled to these free lunches. The YMCA can decide what programsRead More they participate in and while they may have access there are many other reasons why they may choose not to do so. If Samantha is uinhappy with the YMCA, I suggest she find another venue for her child. Personally we cannot afford the YMCA, and I find other venues for my children. As to the financial aid, there is only so much and at times facilities must say "it is used up" find some place else. TOo many parents abuse the financial aid through facilities, the state, churches and ruin it for others. It is time that people take responsibility.
Sheri Baughman howle January 14, 2013 at 06:51 am
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of attending high school with Rick. I personallyRead More lost my husband at a young 46 years old over a year ago. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. We never understand why God seems to take all the good men first, but maybe one day we will personally see why. May family and friends give you strength and may you always cherish those sweet memories you had with each other. My deepest condolscences. Sheri Baughman Howle
Ken May 24, 2013 at 11:18 pm
All ot that just to promote a belief in a mythical god, what a waste of time and energy. If all ofRead More the time that is spent praying to imaginary beings was actually put to a productive , beneficial use the world would be a lot better place for everyone.
Janie April 16, 2013 at 07:18 pm
Terrorists seem to strike in very big cities and/or at big events. I don't think anyone can feelRead More 100% safe in large gatherings, marathons, parades, sporting events, etc. anymore. There is no complete defense against terrorism-- finding out who planted the bombs in Boston will help us in preventing the next assault. Drive-by shootings and dealths by guns/handguns happen hundreds of times a week in the US anyway, but no one seems very concerned about this for some reason.
Jessica Davis April 17, 2013 at 10:25 pm
@ Janie... I partially agree with you... None can feel 100% safe anymore and that's sad but you haveRead More to live each day to the first and not let the terrors of the world stop you from sending functions... Than they win. But you're wrong about no one caring about the every day violence of handguns. For almost a year now the government has been having a debate about gun laws and gun safety... Though I may not agree with everything that's been said... We are in the process of turning this country around.... Get put there and vote- help make the difference
Debbie DuBois Chastain Spires April 18, 2013 at 06:38 pm
I agree with Jessica! I so hate what we have become . Our children can't play in their own yardRead More without constant supervision . We have to be more watchful of our surroundings. Everyone is too busy to lend a helping hand to anyone anymore . We all need to take a step back and have more love and respect for one another . If we stand together we can make a big difference .