[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RICHARD I. BONG WORLD WAR II HERITAGE CENTER

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, it is my honor today to celebrate the 
opening of the Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center in 
Superior, WI.
  The Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center honors World War II 
participants both on the home front and on the battle front. Named for 
America's Ace of Aces and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, MAJ 
Richard Bong, the new center tells visitors of all ages about World War 
II through the eyes of those who participated in the war effort.
  Major Bong, a native of Poplar, WI, fell in love with aviation as a 
small boy, watching mail planes fly over the family farm. In 1940, at 
the age of 20, he became a flying cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps. 
Major Bong downed 40 enemy aircraft in the Pacific theater of war and 
made Poplar famous. Today would have been Major Bong's 82nd birthday. 
We celebrate by opening the Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage 
Center which not only honors Major Bong's war efforts but also pays 
tribute to all brave veterans who never saw themselves as heroes but 
truly embody the word.

                          ____________________