[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2291-E2292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING HONOR FLIGHT SOUTH ALABAMA AND THE 95 WORLD WAR II VETERANS 
                     TRAVELING TO THE WWII MEMORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I 
rise to commend the Honor Flight South Alabama and the 95 World War II 
veterans this very special organization is bringing to Washington, D.C. 
this week.
  Founded by the South Alabama Veterans Council, Honor Flight South 
Alabama is an organization whose mission is to fly heroes from Mobile, 
Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Covington, and Escambia counties 
in Alabama to see their national memorial.
  Over six decades have passed since the end of World War II and, 
regrettably, it took nearly this long to complete work on the memorial 
that honors the spirit and sacrifice of the 16 million who served in 
the U.S. armed forces and the more than 400,000 who died. Sadly, many 
veterans did not live long enough to hear their country say ``thank 
you'' yet, for those veterans still living, Honor Flight provides for 
many their first--and perhaps only--opportunity to see the National 
World War II Memorial, which honors their service and sacrifice.
  Madam Speaker, this week's journey of 95 heroes from south Alabama is 
an appropriate time for us to pause and thank them--and all of the 
soldiers who fought in World War II--for they collectively--and 
literally--saved the world. They personify the very best America has to 
offer, and I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to 
their selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.
  I salute each of the 95 veterans who made the trip this week. May we 
never forget their valiant deeds and tremendous sacrifices.
  James Abbot Jr., John Abbott, Lewis Abronski, Stanley Armit, Eugene 
Baril, Herbert Baskin, Joseph Bell Jr., William Bittner, John Blackmon, 
Elizabeth Blatchford, Edward Borman, Henry Brackin, James Bryars, John 
Busbee, Charles Byrd, Donald Carmichael, Charles Carpenter, Hurschel 
Chambers Jr. and David Chichester.
  George Coaker, Robert Constatine Jr., Marvin Courtney, James Coward, 
Thomas Culpepper, John Douglas, George Edgar, Edwin Fore Jr., Howard 
Foshee, Glenn Frazier, Lloyd Fremaux, Roland Fry, Richard Gile, Douglas 
Gordon, Henry Hannett, Joseph Harbuck Jr., James Helland, Jennings Hill 
and Cecil Hobbs.
  William Hobbs Jr., Jean Hooker, Elsie Hovell, Edward Hrinsin, John 
Hudson, Christopher Hume Jr., Ray Huning, Meldon Hurlbert, Clifford 
James, James Johnson, George Jones, John Kassab, Frank Keeler Jr., Paul 
Liles, Horace Luckey, Thomas Martin, Robert Mauer and Floyd McBride.
  Joseph McCoy, Cecil McLain, Robert Meador, James Mills, John Moreland 
Jr., Granvil Neel, James Nickerson, Melvin O'Barr, Lee Otts, Billy 
Owen, Wilbern Payne, Sidney Phillips Jr., James Philpot, Edward Plouse, 
Donald Pruett, Iona Quinley, John Rabon, Edward Reagan and John Reiter.
  Leon Resmondo, Gary Roberts, Claude Robinson, Hans Schneider, Charles 
Skinner, Randolph Smith, Raymond Smith, Robert Smith, Arnold Smith, 
John Stauffer, Charles Strawser, William Stuckey, Ezra Trice, Julius 
Turner, James White, John Jeptha White-Spunner, Ezell Williams, Chelton 
Wilson and Janet Woods,

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