[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 76 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E874-E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING LOUISIANA HONORAIR AND T.D. SMITH, LINDA DAUTREUIL AND SALLIE 
                               VARRELMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2008

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay honor to America's 
World War II veterans. These veterans represent the best

[[Page E875]]

of our country, and I am grateful to work with Louisiana HonorAir to 
salute them, the courageous men and women who stood to protect America.
  This weekend 97 veterans from Southwest Louisiana will make the three 
hour flight to our Nation's capital. In Washington, D.C., the group 
will tour the WWII Memorial, Korean Memorial and Vietnam Memorial and 
attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 
Arlington National Cemetery. For many veterans in the group, it is 
their first time to tour the WWII Memorial because of its recent 
construction. Then, as quickly as they came, the group will return to a 
hero's welcome in Lafayette, Louisiana where family and friends will 
gather to show their appreciation one more time.
  Having met many of these groups in Washington, I continue to be 
awestruck by the reactions of these men and women who stood up to 
tyranny in Europe and Asia. Many rarely talk about their service, 
instead, looking to happier times. However, in the company of others 
who nobly served, they are able to frankly discuss their experiences, 
share tearful stories and remember comrades missing or killed in 
action.
  Since 2007, more than 800 Louisiana veterans participated in the 
HonorAir program. Its success is a testament to one man's vision--T.D. 
Smith. To demonstrate his appreciation to our veterans, T.D., a local 
radio host, started the program in January 2007 after learning of a 
similar effort in North Carolina. Smith began gathering sponsors and 
raising money needed to pay for the flights, buses and tours.
  Corporal Earl Flatt, of Broussard, Louisiana, a combat veteran of Iwo 
Jima, said, ``My faith in America was increased once again by the 
enthusiasm of the people of Acadiana, who embraced this project and 
made it all possible.'' Corporal Flatt was on the first HonorAir 
flight, and he remembered being at the WWII Memorial as one of the most 
rewarding days of his life. Referring to T.D., he said, ``Mere words 
cannot express my appreciation for T.D. Smith. His enthusiasm, work 
habits and patriotism is never exhausted. He would have been a hell of 
a Marine.''
  T.D.'s leadership and commitment to this project and our veterans is 
extraordinary. His humble demeanor further highlights the contributions 
of the veterans, many whom are strangers before the flight, and belies 
the typical boisterous on-air radio personality many would expect. T.D. 
ensures the HonorAir program never fails to remember its mission of 
``celebrating Louisiana's own--their courage, their valor, their 
sacrifice in WWII.''
  In addition to T.D.'s vision, the success ofthe program depends on a 
myriad of fundraising and logistics. This program is truly a broad 
community effort, and volunteers throughout the Acadiana area who help 
raise funds, serve on the board of directors, and act as guardians on 
each flight, should all be commended for their tireless efforts. 
However, Linda Dautreuil and her mother Sallie Varrelman each stepped 
forward to pilot the efforts of others. Ensuring each veteran received 
attention to their specific details, this mother-daughter team serve 
each flight participant with care. They plan, organize, and implement 
each flight guaranteeing the experience of a lifetime for these worthy 
veterans. Linda's respect and admiration for these WWII heroes, and her 
wish to thank them for their sacrifice, is evident in her commitment to 
this project. And, Sallie, with a soft British accent, is repaying a 
70-year debt to the brave American soldiers she remembers stationed 
around her Boumemouth, England home as a 12-year-old in 1939.
  T.D., Linda and Sallie each exemplify patriotism and service to our 
great nation as they honor those of the ``greatest generation.'' One 
man, who accompanied his father-in-law on a Louisiana HonorAir flight 
last year, expressed the profound affect this extraordinary expression 
of kindness has on those who served so heroically.
  He said, ``one of the most memorable moments was when we were waiting 
for our bus to pick us up at the WWII Memorial. As usual, T.D. was 
walking around, joking and talking to the Vets as he smoked a cigar. My 
father-in-law took a deep breath and commented on how well it smelled. 
It was then that T.D. unselfishly offered him a cigar and a light. 
Well, Mr. Trahan thought he had won the lottery. T.D. gave him a cigar 
and light and stood there talking to him, making him feel like the most 
important person in the world.''
  Unfortunately, shortly after his flight, the man's father-in-law 
passed away. His story emphasizes the importance of honoring these 
veterans before it is too late.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the brave men 
and women who defended America and in commending Louisiana HonorAir, 
T.D. Smith, Linda Dautreuil, and Sallie Varrelman who convey our 
appreciation in such a remarkable way.

                          ____________________