[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 120 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONOR FLIGHT 2012

  Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the Honor Flight 
Network and the four Alaskan World War II veterans who are 
participating in this year's flight: Robert J. Ingram, a veteran of the 
Navy from Fairbanks; and Louis E. Fessler, a veteran of the Army, Marc 
Stella, a veteran of the Marine Corps, and Joseph William Nugent, a 
veteran of the Army Air Corps, all from Anchorage.
  The Honor Flight Network is a national program that provides free 
transportation to aging and ailing veterans to travel to Washington, 
DC, to visit and reflect at the memorials associated with the war in 
which they served.
  Later this month, these four heroes are scheduled to go to military- 
and veteran-related museums and tour the Capitol. The highlight of this 
trip of a lifetime is a long anticipated visit to the World War II 
Memorial on the Mall. These veterans of the war to end all wars deserve 
our highest praise for their service. Like so many men of that great 
generation, they selflessly did their duty and are among the fortunate 
ones who were able to return to the civilian community and lead long 
and productive lives.
  Mr. Ingram, Mr. Fessler, Mr. Stella, and Mr. Nugent have our undying 
thanks and gratitude. Thanks are also in order to the Honor Flight 
Network for conceiving this program, to the flight guardians Julie 
Engfer and Heidi Matson from Fairbanks, and Val Stella from Anchorage, 
and to Alaska Airlines for donating airline tickets to all of the 
travelers.
  I urge all Alaskans and Americans to reflect on the service of Bob, 
Louie, Marc, and Bill and our other remaining World War II vets and all 
veterans who have made sacrifices for our Nation throughout its 
history.

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