Senator Fritz Hollings ’42 laughs when Major
General Grinalds refers to him as Saint Fritz. The nickname became
popular among Citadel folks three years ago when news broke that
The Citadel would receive $15 million in federal money to complete
PT Barracks. That funding, the result of work by Senator Hollings
and his colleague, Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, changed the
building project from a goal to a reality.
Along
with the $11 million The Citadel had received in state funding,
the federal grant provided the money necessary to start demolition
and reconstruction.
The new barracks replicates the appearance of the original structure built
in 1922. “It’s good to see a new building that looks old,”
Hollings said.
During the dedication ceremony the senator joked about insisting that the quad
be soft. “You know how president generals always get their wishes,”
he told the gathering. “When I think of that, I think of General Charles
P. Summerall. All he ever wished for me was all tours and all confinements.”
 |
Major General John S. Grinalds presented Senator Hollings with the last flag
to fly over the old PT Barracks and the first flag raised over the new
barracks. |
Hollings
reminisced about seeing President Herbert Hoover and President Franklin
D. Roosevelt on campus. Yet most of his remarks were about the legacy
of Citadel alumni and the lasting values that a Citadel education
instills.
Doug Snyder, vice chairman of The Citadel Board of Visitors, praised the senator
for his work with the college and his contributions to the betterment of others
throught his political life. "We are extremely grateful to Senator Hollings
for all his tangible contributions," Snyder said. "However, the most
significant trait I am thankful for is that he is a living poster child of The
Citadel mission."
"In 1962, Senator Henry Ashurst stated, 'No man is fit to be a senator
unless he is willing to surrender his political life for a great principle.'
Senator Hollings has many times demonstrated his willingness to surrender his
political life for great principle. He is one of the most visible examples of
The Citadel vision statement . . . excellence in the education of principled
leaders."
| 
