[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 91 (Thursday, June 17, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1142-E1143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO HONOR FLIGHT OF OREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2010

  Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise on the occasion of Oregon's 
inaugural Honor Flight journey of 24 of Oregon World War II and Korean 
War era veterans to visit their memorials here in Washington, DC. On 
behalf of a grateful congressional delegation, state, and country, I 
welcome these heroes to our nation's capital where I am honored to host 
a special recognition event for them.
  The veterans on this Honor Flight are World War II veterans: Jim 
Cate, U.S. Marine Corps; Don Daugherty, U.S. Navy; Russell ``Gunner'' 
Day, U.S. Navy; Al Grant, U.S. Navy; Bob Haskin, U.S. Army Air Corps; 
Hank Henson, U.S. Army Air Corps; Don Huebsch, U.S. Marine Corps; Anne 
Laraia, U.S. Air Force; Rocco Laraia Jr., U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force; 
Ed LeRoy, U.S. Navy; Dennis ``Mac'' McManus Sr., U.S. Army; Paul 
Miller, U.S. Army; Richard Miller, U.S. Army; Ed Morehead, U.S. Army 
Air Corps; Marvin ``Bud'' Morss, U.S. Air Force; Al E. Rogers, U.S. 
Navy; Ken Shideler, U.S. Army; Samuel ``Smitty'' Smith, U.S. Navy; Bill 
Spencer, U.S. Marine Corps; Don Spencer Sr., U.S. Army Air Corps; 
George ``Vince'' Stauffer, U.S. Coast Guard; Vyrl ``Ed'' Sweeney, U.S. 
Army; and Ervin ``Van'' Van Blaricom, U.S. Marine Corps.
  Madam Speaker, these 24 veterans from Oregon join more than 35,000 
veterans from across the country who, since 2005, have traveled to our 
nation's capital to visit and reflect at memorials built here in their 
honor. This Honor Flight was made possible thanks to generous donations 
and contributions from the public to honor these American heroes.

[[Page E1143]]

  We truly can never repay the debt we owe these soldiers, sailors, 
airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who put themselves in harm's way 
to protect us and our liberty and freedom. The sacrifices made by these 
outstanding citizens--and the families they left behind--are truly 
incredible. Without their honor, courage, commitment, and sacrifice, we 
would not enjoy the freedoms we cherish today.
  Please join me in thanking these Oregon veterans and the volunteers 
of Honor Flight of Oregon for their dedication, commitment, and service 
to our great nation. May God bless them and may God Bless America.

                          ____________________