[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        KEVIN WODLINGER TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2011

  Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Kevin Wodlinger 
for his work with the local Colorado Honor Flight Network, an 
organization that flies veterans to Washington to see the World War II 
memorial.
  The Honor Flight Network was founded in 2005 by retired Air Force 
Captain and physician assistant Earl Morse. Mr. Morse retired from the 
United States Air Force in 1998, and recognized the need for an 
organization to help World War II veterans fly to see their memorial in 
Washington. In May of 2005, the first World War II veterans were flown 
from Springfield, Ohio to see their memorial.
  When Mr. Wodlinger received news of this organization, he knew he 
needed to help to get this program to Colorado's Western Slope. In 
2009, the first Western Slope Honor Flight took off.
  In April of 2011, Mr. Wodlinger was honored with the Red Cross Hero 
nomination for his efforts to start the Western Slope Honor Flight. 
After receiving this nomination, Mr. Wodlinger claimed he only wanted 
to make sure that the World War II veterans from Colorado's Western 
Slope, the ``real heroes,'' were recognized.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Kevin Wodlinger. His 
work with the Honor Flight Network has provided hundreds of World War 
II heroes the ability to see the memorial America erected in their 
honor.

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