[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SOUTH ALABAMA HONOR FLIGHT SIX ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON, DC

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize 
Honor Flight South Alabama and the World War II veterans this very 
special organization is bringing on its sixth flight to Washington, DC 
on September 21, 2011.
  Founded by the South Alabama Veterans Council, Honor Flight South 
Alabama is an organization whose mission is to fly heroes from 
southwest 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.
  This Honor Flight begins at dawn when the veterans will gather at 
historic Fort Whiting in Mobile and travel to Mobile Regional Airport 
to board a chartered flight to Washington. During their time in their 
nation's capital, the veterans will visit the World War II Memorial, 
Arlington National Cemetery, and other memorials.
  The veterans will return to Mobile Regional Airport that evening, 
where some 1,000 people are expected to greet them.
  Mr. Speaker, the September 21, 2011, journey of 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 freedoms we enjoy.
  I salute each of the veterans who made the trip to Washington. May we 
never forget their valiant deeds and tremendous sacrifices: Clinton 
Ames, Jr., Curtis Avinger, Robert Bagwell, Elwood Barden, Jack Bayuk, 
Sidney Biehl, Clarence Blocker, Byron Bower, James Boykin, Donald 
Brassfield, Robert Brown, James Butcher, John Butt, Leon Cain, Sr., Leo 
Cain, Sr., Arlee Carmichael, Alfred Chance, John Courtney, Jr., James 
Crocker, Joseph Croom, John Cunningham, Dr. George Dacovich, Sr., 
Robert Denniston, Glenn DePorter, Murray Driskell, James Dyess, Sr., 
James Edwards, Roy Eveland, Wilbur Ferguson, Vaughn Frederick, Dorothy 
Frost, Edward Gilbert, Jr., Sidney Gillikin, Bobby Graham, William 
Grimes, Joseph Hanson, George Harrison, Richard Howser, Gary Hunter, 
Morris Jackson, William Jenkins, Joseph Kress, Phillip Laden, Peter 
Leonardis, Roger Lewis, Harlan Mahan, Annie Mathews, Joseph Maury, 
James McArthur, Hezzie McCaughn, Joseph McCorquodale, Lee McCurley, 
Grover Mcllwain, Alney McLean, Alfred Meadows, Jr., Mary Moebius, 
George Moody, Leon Mote, Warren Nelson, Lionel Noonan, Charles Odom, 
William Olsen, Sr., Robert Ownby, Hurshel Paul, Walter Pawlak, Hilton 
Peyregne, Frank Phillips, Jim Rainer, Jefferson Ratcliffe, Sr., Willard 
Ready, J.C. Reed, William Ross, Wayne Roth, James Santa Cruz, Raymond 
Scott, James Smith, Jerry Stastka, John Taylor, Thomas Turk, Florian 
Turla, Clyde Ussery, Alfred Webb, George Weldon, James Wicks, Leroy 
Williams, James Wright, and Harvey Younce.

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