[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO LOUISIANA WWII VETERANS

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I would like to thank my 
colleagues for the time this morning to speak about a very special 
flight that just took place. The Louisiana HonorAir flight that came 
into Washington on Saturday, April 10 included a group of 82 World War 
II veterans from Louisiana. These veterans visited the various 
memorials and monuments that recognize the sacrifices of our Nation's 
invaluable servicemembers.
  Louisiana HonorAir, a group based in Lafayette, LA, sponsored this 
latest trip--its 21st flight--to the Nation's Capital. The organization 
honors surviving Louisiana World War II veterans by giving them an 
opportunity to see the memorials dedicated to their service. On this 
trip, the veterans visited the World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iwo 
Jima memorials. They traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a 
wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  World War II was one of America's greatest triumphs, but was also a 
conflict rife with individual sacrifice and tragedy. More than 60 
million people worldwide were killed, including 40 million civilians, 
and more than 400,000 American servicemembers were slain during the 
long war. The ultimate victory over enemies in the Pacific and in 
Europe is a testament to the valor of American soldiers, sailors, 
airmen and marines. The years 1941 to 1945 also witnessed an 
unprecedented mobilization of domestic industry, which supplied our 
military on two distant fronts.
  In Louisiana, there are roughly 30,000 living WWII veterans, and each 
one has a heroic tale of achieving the noble victory of freedom over 
tyranny. The oldest in this HonorAir group was born in 1918. Some began 
their service as early as 1940, before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and 
some members of this group served as late as 1972. This HonorAir group 
served in various branches of the military: 31 in the U.S. Army, 21 in 
the Navy, 16 in the Air Force, 7 in the Marine Corps, 2 in the Coast 
Guard, 2 in the Merchant Marines and 1 was a Women's Army Corps Member, 
WAC.
  Our heroes trekked the world for their country. They served across 
the globe, participating in major invasions such as those at Iwo Jima, 
Okinawa, Guadalcanal, Leyte, the Phillippines, and southern France.
  One was a prisoner of war in Germany, while others fought in the 
historic Battle of the Bulge or stormed the beaches at Normandy.
  Many of these veterans have been decorated with multiple Purple 
Hearts, Bronze Star Medals, Air Medals and Navy Crosses.
  These men and women, who have given so much for our country, truly 
represent our greatest generation. I ask the Senate to join me in 
honoring these 82 veterans, all Louisiana heroes, that we welcomed to 
Washington on April 10 and Louisiana HonorAir for making these trips a 
reality.

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