[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 66 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO THREE VETERAN MONUMENTS

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                          HON. MARY BONO MACK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2011

  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three 
Veteran monuments in my hometown of Palm Springs, California--the 
``Desert Fliers Command Distinguished Flying Cross Wall of Honor,'' 
``On A Wing and A Prayer Missing Man Monument,'' and ``Freedom.''
  The ``Desert Fliers Command Distinguished Flying Cross Wall of 
Honor'' was dedicated on November 11, 2004, and is located at the Palm 
Springs Air Museum. The Desert Fliers Command is a group of airmen who 
now live in the Coachella Valley and have been awarded the 
Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in air combat. This stunning 
black marble monument stands nearly seventeen feet and has two wings 
engraved with the name and rank of the Desert Fliers Command members, 
branch of service and rank. It sits in the center of a twelve-foot 
round platform named the ``Walk of Honor'' in which there are bricks 
etched with names of fallen airmen.
  The ``On a Wing and a Prayer Missing Man Monument'' was dedicated on 
November 11, 2006, and is located at the entrance of Gate 1 at the Palm 
Springs International Airport. This beautiful monument, which is an 
actual wing of a Navy Aircraft, stands straight up with one side of the 
wing listing the names of the members of the Desert Fliers Command. The 
wing tip light is lit at all times and is named the ``Eternal Light.'' 
It is intended to serve as a beacon for all missing airmen to find 
their way home.
  The ``Freedom'' monument was dedicated on November 11, 2010, and is 
located at the Palm Springs Air Museum. It is the actual propeller of a 
World War II B-24 Aircraft standing atop a twenty-four inch base that 
recognizes each branch of service, as well as Distinguished Flying 
Cross recipient Joseph Foster, Lieutenant Colonel United States Air 
Force Retired.
  The artists who inspired and created these important monuments are 
Lee Stanley--Lieutenant Commander United States Naval Reserve Retired, 
recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses and nine Air Medals--and 
his loving wife Pita.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my hope these memorials serve as powerful 
reminders of how our nation's liberty and justice has been preserved by 
the dedication of our armed forces. May their patriotic spirit and 
devotion to our nation continue to inspire Americans for generations to 
come. While no single tribute can fully honor their sacrifice, these 
memorials offer a chance for our community to stand together in 
honoring the men and women who have fought under the Stars and Stripes. 
It is with great pride that I ask the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing these important Veteran 
memorials.

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