Family promises are among some of the most important commitments we make. Many are passed through generations. We read about it in the Bible quite often; a son promises a father. A brother promises a brother. A father promises a son.

Such is the case with the Rewis family from South Georgia.

Yesterday, I had the honor of attending the celebration of life of Cpl. Dewey E. Rewis at the Wayfare Church Cemetery in Echols County, Georgia.

The procession started in Homerville in Clinch County and, with over 200 participants, including the Patriot Guards biker group, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA), the South Georgia Classic Car Club, and others brought to culmination a family promise 72 years in the making.  

In 1950, Waycross native Corporal Dewey Rewis Jr joined the Battery D, 15^th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 31^st Regimental Combat Team, 7^th Infantry Division stationed in Korea.

While his unit advanced along the eastern banks of the Chosin Reservoir, they fell under attack and, tragically, Cpl. Rewis was reported as missing.

In 1953, four American prisoners of war returned home from Korea and reported that Cpl. Rewis passed, in 1951, while being held by the North Koreans.

In October of 2022, researchers were able to use advanced DNA technology to identify Cpl. Rewis’ remains.

Cpl. Rewis’ father, Dewey Rewis Sr., promised that one day he would bring his son home for a proper burial. Before Rewis Sr.’s death, his brother promised to carry the torch on his brother’s behalf. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t live to see this promise fulfilled, but his son, who was determined not to let Cpl. Rewis’ memory die, would bring him home for a proper burial.

A family promise handed down through three generations came to fruition yesterday as the remains of Cpl. Dewey Rewis, an only child, were laid to rest between his mother and father.

Through the perseverance of a family promise, Cpl. Rewis has returned home, where he belongs.

I was honored to present the Rewis family with a long overdue Purple Heart, a small token to help commemorate the life and sacrifice of Cpl. Dewey Rewis.

He was a son, a nephew, a cousin. He was, and is, an American hero.

He will not be forgotten, and we will continue to live our lives fitting of one meant to carry the torch of a fallen soldier.

Time is fleeting, but a family promise never ends. R.I.P. Cpl. Dewey Rewis.

To read more about Cpl. Dewey's life and legacy, including an interview with his first cousin, click here. 

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're recapping House Republican successes so far this Congress. 

Monday-Wednesday, August 7-9, 2023: It’s always a pleasure to attend Dancing with the Southern Stars held in Waycross in Ware County, the signature fundraising event for Magnolia House, the domestic violence shelter in the area. Saturday night was yet another enjoyable experience as this year Magnolia House partnered with Okefenokee Alliance for the Homeless (OATH) for an outstanding presentation of talented dancers from the area as well as the singing talent of my good friend, Georgia State Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.

I was scheduled to be in London this week to attend the TransAtlantic Capital to Capital Exchange sponsored by the Ripon Society. Yesterday, I arrived at the Savannah airport shortly after noon for my flight to Atlanta and then on to London. After boarding the flight, the pilot addressed us and said that due to bad weather in the Atlanta area, we were going to be delayed and we needed to deplane for a few hours. Around 6 that evening, we were able to board again and take off for Atlanta. As we began our decent, the pilot informed us that due to the Atlanta airport being backed up, our flight was being diverted to Greenville/Spartanburg. Once we landed, we were told that our flight to Atlanta would be delayed until tomorrow. Having already missed my connecting flight to London from Atlanta, I spent the night in Greenville, rented a car and drove to Charlotte, NC, where I had been rebooked on a flight to New York City and a connecting flight to London. The flight to NYC was to leave mid-morning but was delayed numerous times and finally cancelled later that evening causing me to miss my connection to London. Having already missed two days of the four-day trip to London, I headed back to Savannah wondering how I could get the last few days of my life back.

Thursday, August 10, 2023: Because I planned on being out of the country this week, I had not scheduled any business in the district, but, thankfully, my team quickly jumped into action.

On Tuesday, I had a live television interview on Washington Watch with my good friend and former congressional colleague, Jody Hice, as we discuss the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), legislation that I voted against and that has only accelerated our inflation crisis.

Today, I am honored to attend the Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care Stakeholder Appreciation Celebration held at the Charles H. Morris Center in Downtown Savannah. With a mission of improving the health status of all individuals in Savannah-Chatham County, especially those with limited financial resources and the high-risk population, this Federally Qualified Health Care (FQHC) Center has been delivering accessible, affordable, quality health care to our citizens since 1971. Along with former Savannah-Chatham School Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett, Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis, and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, I am honored to be recognized by the facility and CEO Albert Grandy as a friend of the clinic.

Afterwards, I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing with Eastern Wharf on Savannah’s riverfront in the background.

Carter attends luncheon at Charles H. Morris Center in Downtown Savannah

Friday, August 11, 2023: After yet another great message at the Band of Brothers Bible study in Garden City delivered by Rev. Kenny Grant, I head to Fort Stewart in Hinesville in Liberty County where I attend the U.S. Army Garrison Change of Command between Col. Manuel Ramirez and Col. Marc Austin hosted by Ms. Brenda Lee McCullough, Director, U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Readiness. After the Change of Command, we have remarks from Ms. McCullough and MG Christopher R. Norrie, Commander of the Third Infantry Division, before remarks from Col. Ramirez and Col. Austin.

I end my night with an interview on Fox Business’ evening edit, where I discuss Biden’s war on American energy.

Carter at U.S. Army Garrison Change of Command

Saturday, August 12, 2023: I’m up early and on the road to Homerville in Clinch County where I am honored today to participate in the celebration of life of Cpl. Dewey E. Rewis, Jr, who was lost in action in Korea in 1950 and whose remains were identified last year and returned to the family. A more detailed account of this great event is found above, which I encourage you to read. 

Carter presents Purple Heart to Rewis family

I didn’t have the honor of serving in our military. My honor is to serve those who have served as well as our constituents.

My staff and I take our work very seriously. We consider this to be a part of our calling. From time to time, we get messages from people who we have helped. We thank you for those messages and for the opportunity to serve you. I'm sharing one of these with you today, with personal information redacted, and encourage you to reach out to my office if you need any assistance. 

"This past February, I made a request to your office to get military records of one of our Meals on Wheels clients who was in dire need of a new ramp and deck for their trailer residence...This past weekend, Team Savannah for Veterans sent a crew to the [client's] residence. They replaced the ramp and deck...I wanted to Thank You and Buddy Carter for helping to bring a ray of sunshine to [this] family. Thanks again."