[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 66 (Thursday, May 10, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E758-E759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   WELCOMING THE SEVENTH HONOR FLIGHT SOUTH ALABAMA TO WASHINGTON, DC

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2012

  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 seventh flight to Washington, 
D.C. on May 9, 2012. It is also my honor to insert this tribute into 
the Record during the week of the 67th anniversary of the Victory in 
Europe (V E Day).
  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.
  Nearly seven 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

[[Page E759]]

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 May 9, 2012, 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. 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:
  Bradford Amazeen; Frank Boykin, Jr.; Henry Brady; Wesley Davis; 
Charles Jackson; Manley Kulman; Archie Lewis; Raymond Lovell; Travis 
Mitchell; Niland Mortimer; Wilson Oglesby; James O'Rear; John Osterday, 
Sr.; Almon Ready; Kermit Reedstrom; Dr. James Rencher; Harold Richard; 
Jesse Robinson; Raymond Roser; Lawrence Roubion, Jr.; John Ruffin; 
James Santa Cruz, Jr.; Harold Schumann; Richard Stairhime; Lloyd 
Stewart; William Sumrall; Harlan Taylor; Tom Ware; Robert Wheeler; 
Wendell Williamson; Hugh Blount; William Boone; Cecil Bosarge; John 
Bosco; Howard Bowman; Vercial Bray; William Brennan; Claude Broun; 
Johnnie Burgess; Paul Carroll, Jr.; Cordelia Catlin; Dan Coleman; Leo 
Crain; Miles Crutchfield; Carl Daughdrill; Dr. Conan Davis; Nathan 
Denmark; Kirby Evans; Almus Goins; Johnnie Grovenstein; Michael 
Guarino; Angelo Harris, Jr.; John Hickman, Sr.; Joseph C. Holliday; 
Philip Kile; Richard Lentz; Alfred Phillips; Rudolph Rolison, Sr; John 
Tyson, Sr.; Thomas Brown; Frank Daniels; Lyman Daugherty; Elisha Davis, 
Jr.; John Folson; Edward Haeflinger; Oliver Henderson, Jr.; Frank 
Holyfield; Hal Johnson; Mitford Keel; Thomas Kelly, Jr.; James Lambeth; 
Father George Lassett; Josephine Lassett; Donald LeDuc; Seymour 
Lichtenfeld; Arnold Loucks; John Magnon; Ulderico Marcucci; Moss 
McCarty; Raymond McCrary; Earl McDonald; Pervis McMillan; Nicolas 
McShea, Jr.; Robert Nodar; Edward O'Neal; Charles Parker; Kenneth 
Patrick; Edwin Phillips; Arthur Raines; and James Werner.

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