[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING HONOR FLIGHT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I would like to speak briefly about a 
special group of Kentuckians who visited our Nation's capitol last 
month. In August, 39 World War II veterans from the Commonwealth 
visited the memorial which they inspired on the National Mall. These 
heroes were able to make this trip because of the Honor Flight Program, 
a nonprofit organization which transports surviving World War II 
veterans from around the country to see their memorial free of charge. 
Because Congress was out of session during their visit, I was back home 
in Kentucky. As a result, I was unable to participate in this Honor 
Flight event as I have in others before it. However, I hope to have the 
opportunity to meet more of these inspirational veterans on future 
Bluegrass Honor Flight trips.
  The World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004, nearly 60 years 
after our troops returned home. It sits, appropriately, between the 
Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial--reflecting the same 
principles of courage and valor that were embodied by these two great 
Presidents. The legacy of the World War II veterans who defended those 
principles from enemies of freedom is not only preserved by this 
memorial, but it is honored each day in the sacrifices of American 
troops who continue to do the same for our Nation in the war on terror.
  As Americans, we are forever indebted to the brave men and women of 
the United States military who defend this great Nation. The veterans 
of World War II made tremendous sacrifices so that we could continue to 
live in prosperity and freedom and for that they are more than 
deserving of their title as the ``greatest generation.''
  I would ask that my colleagues join me in honoring these Kentucky 
veterans:

                         World War II Veterans

       Henry Alford; Salvator Amato; Fairel Bailey; Harlan Barton; 
     Woodrow Bryant; Wilbur Cannon; Charles Carveth; Clarence Cox; 
     Richard Dolan; Luther Drury; Francis Fleck; John Frantz; 
     William Glye; Sam Goldstein; Eugene Haag; James Harrison; 
     James Hunt; Paul Jones; James Lenihan; William Lippy.
       Beverly Miller; Bobby Morgan; Ernest Morgan; James 
     Nicholson; Lewis Perciful; James Plummer; Carl Rapson; 
     Shirrelle Render; Harold Senior; Evan Shelby; Donald Stevens; 
     Wayne Tabor; Willard Thomas; Ernest Wagner; Phillip Wells; 
     James West, Jr.; Elmer Whitaker; Cecil Williams; Gilbert 
     Yunt.

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