[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1760-E1761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMEMORATING HONOR FLIGHT BLUEGRASS CHAPTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2008

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Honor 
Flight Bluegrass Chapter. Today, Honor Flight is making its latest trip 
to Washington to bring Kentucky's World War II veterans to visit the 
memorials that honor their courage and heroism and those that celebrate 
the heroic military personnel who served before them and those who 
followed in their footsteps.
  Today, the United States of America has, without question, the most 
powerful military in the world. But in 1941, when an unprovoked attack 
on Pearl Harbor awakened a sleeping giant, America's military might was 
anything but certain. Though we did not have the larges or richest in 
the world, the United States' military was made up of warriors with 
unflagging courage and limitless dedication that followed in a 
tradition dating back to the Revolutionary War and continues to this 
day.
  They are called the greatest generation and with good reason. By 
war's end, it was not only our military that went unquestioned. 
Following their efforts, the United States of America emerged from 
battle as a beacon of freedom and liberty.
  Today, 63 years after their victory over Nazism, fascism, and 
imperialism, some of those heroes join us in the Nation's Capitol for 
the first time. As ever, we remain a Nation grateful for their 
sacrifice and indebted for their success.
  Today's trip brings to Washington the following 38 Kentucky World War 
II veterans: Harold Ausmus, Ruben Avila, Fredrick Balke, John Beye, 
Hubert Wessel, Cynthia Phelps, Arthur Decker, Barbara Abbott, John 
Bruggensmith, Leslie Cohen, Clarence Crawford, James ``Art'' Cutliff, 
Wayne Tabor, Herman Sasse, Charles Dever, John Cook, Robert Kottcamp, 
Neal Puckett, Bernard Ohare, John Okeefe, Blond Puckett, Leslie ``Dan'' 
Stickler, Charles Tribble, Ernest Spencer, Harold Phillips, Joseph 
Riney, Kathryn Mattingly, Edward Peterson, Bill Brundage, Therese 
Comstock, Henry ``Don'' Donaldson, Matthew Flanagan, Robert Carrico, 
Robert Hall, Edward Jackey, Clyde Logsdon, Leonard O'Dell, and Edward 
Oechsli.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in welcoming them to Washington, 
recognizing their

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contribution to America's success, and thanking Honor Flight for their 
commitment to our World War II heroes.

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