[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 83 (Monday, June 27, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO 8TH AIR FORCE

                                 ______


                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 1994

  Mr. FAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor the 350,000 men and women of the 8th Air Force who fought and 
made the ultimate sacrifice for this country during World War II.
  Finally, after 50 years, Dr. Eric Hawkinson will help memorialize the 
efforts of all who served in the mighty 8th Air Force during World War 
II. I would like to commend Dr. Hawkinson for his efforts on behalf of 
the 350,000 men and women of the mighty U.S. 8th Air Force who came to 
England during World War II to assist the United Kingdom in defeating 
Nazi Germany and its allies during the war. This Air Force suffered 
over 47,000 casualties. Let us never forget the bravery and gallantry 
shown by the brave men and women of the 8th Air Force.
  I would also like to take that opportunity to recognize the 
commanders of the 8th Air Force.
  May 1942: Maj. Gen. Carl A. Spaatz.
  December 1942: Lt. Gen. Ira Eaker.
  January 1944: Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle.
  May 1945: Maj. Gen. William A. Kepner.
  June 1945: Maj. Gen. Westside T. Larson.
  July 1945: Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle.
  The memorial dedication will take place on the weekend of July 23d 
and 24th, 1994, at the Wycombe Abbey School, High Wycombe, 
Buckinghamshire, England. At this site was the headquarters of the 8th 
Air Force and went by the code name of ``Pinetree.'' Following the 
memorial service on the 23d, the official unveiling of the plaque and 
the symbolic planting of the ``Pinetree'' will take place. This will be 
followed the next day by a Glenn Miller concert played by the John and 
Herb Miller Orchestra. This concert will recreate the atmosphere made 
by the Glenn Miller Band who played at Wycombe Abbey, July 29, 1944.
  It is with great honor and privilege that I am allowed to recognize 
the brave men and women of the 8th Air Force by submitting a copy of 
one of the Pinetree Memorial Prayers given by Dr. Hawkinson at the 
Abbey Chapel, High Wycombe, England.

       Oh mighty creator of the universe and us all, we thank you 
     for this day, for life, for families and friends, for this 
     gathering of former members of the mighty 8th Air Force.
       This day is the beginning of the rest of our lives.
       While we left our youth behind us in the Great War and we 
     are now relegated to dreaming big dreams, we know that it is 
     you who created ``the wild blue yonder'' and there continues 
     to be space and impact for each of us.
       As we were brought together fifty or so years ago to stifle 
     the evil of a mad man, now we voluntarily come together to 
     seek new directions in which to serve our great nations, and 
     the peoples in our countries. We were an effective team in 
     the past as each of us made our contribution.
       We ask you know to guide us as we conduct our memorial that 
     we may do it with a team spirit, a continued sense of ethics 
     and morality, and that we do not lose sight of our mutual 
     challenges as we fly toward the horizon.
       There are additional worthy goals for us to pursue. Give us 
     the wisdom to identify these and that we and our fallen 
     comrades will feel an abiding sense of pride in what we do 
     here today in sustaining the wings of the Mighty 8th Air 
     Force.
       We ask these things in the name of your son who taught us 
     to love, how to work for peace and to understand the worth 
     and dignity of each man, each woman and each child.
       Amen.

                          ____________________