[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 123 (Thursday, September 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1508-E1509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   WELCOMING THE EIGHTH HONOR FLIGHT SOUTH ALABAMA TO WASHINGTON, DC

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 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 eighth flight to Washington, 
D.C. on September 19, 2012.
  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.
  Almost seven decades have passed since the end of World War II and, 
regrettably, it took nearly as 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.

[[Page E1509]]

  The veterans will return to Mobile Regional Airport that evening, 
where some 1,000 people are expected to greet them.
  Mr. Speaker, the September 19, 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: Hector 
Anderson, Eason Andrews, Robert Andry, Charles Baggett, James Ballard, 
Robert Barnes, Edward Beasley, Tommie Beasley, Joseph Betbeze, Jr., 
William C. Betbeze, Elmore Blake, Floyd Bivens, Nolan Black, Robert 
Bock, Richard Bolks, Samuel Branch, William Branscomb, Bernard 
Bringhurst, Wilton Brunson, Benjamin Canavello, Millard Carter, William 
Chapman, John Cherry, John Clark, Joseph Collie, William Colvin, O.S. 
Conerly, Jr., Benjamin Cooper, Bob Copley, Quincie Curtis, James 
Dailey, Carroll Darby, James Daves, John Davis, Perry Davis, Jeffrey 
Davis, Glenn Dehlin, William Douglas, Robert Drollinger, Robert 
Eastburn, Russell Faulkner, William Fox, Frank Frith, Aubrey Fulford, 
Luther Fuller, William Gilly, Edward Gold, Schauss Greben, Horace Gray, 
Doyle Griffiths, Michael Guarino, Nathan Gulley, Lawrence Hansen, Joe 
Harris, Jr., Thomas Harris, Jr., William Hatter, Benjamin Hays, Jr., 
Felix Hills, Jr., George Holladay, Robert Hughes, James Hummer, Alfred 
Hyde, Willard Johnson, Junior Keller, Roger King, Albert Kinnison, 
Joseph Knapp, Fred Levin, Lonza Lewis, Bernard Losse, Marjorie Markert, 
George Massengale, Jr., James Mathews, Jr., Elbert McCall, John 
McClelland, Eugene McGuire, Amy McHenry, Harold McLain, Olen McManus, 
Cecil McMullan, Bert Milling, Douglas Modling, Roland Montalvo, John 
Motes, Norman Mullen, Lloyd Mullen, Arthur Perez, Jr., Riley Pettis, 
Hiram Phillips, Rufus Pinkerton, Charles Reaves, I.G. Reeves, Hilburn 
Richards, James Robertson, Rudolph Rolison, Sr., Will Sawyer, Herman 
Shaddix, Dayton Shell, John Sheppard, John Shiver, Jr., William Smith, 
William Spaulding, James Stapleton, Preston Stengel, Ross Street, 
Robert Tanner, Donald Thomson, Shelby Trice, Alexander Trione, 
Etheridge Turner, John Vickers, Ray Wadsworth, Robert Wallace, Thomas 
Warner, Jr., Ennis Warren, Harold Watters, Jr., Billy West, Sr., Vernon 
Whiteside, Lavaine Williams, Walter Williams, and Ross Wingo.

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