[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO HONOR FLIGHT OF OREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2012

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 10 World War II 
veterans from Oregon who will be visiting their memorial this Saturday 
in Washington, DC, through Honor Flight of Oregon. On behalf of a 
grateful state and country, we welcome these heroes to the nation's 
capital.
  The veterans on this flight from Oregon are: Harold ``Dayt'' Elston, 
U.S. Army; Walter Mullen, U.S. Army; Ellis Hallman, U.S. Army Air 
Forces; Daniel Lawler, U.S. Army Air Forces; Robert Mahr, U.S. Army Air 
Forces; Garner Pool, U.S. Navy; Kenneth Purcell, U.S. Navy; Albert 
Randow, U.S. Navy; Theodore Tannich, U.S. Navy; Arthur Wallace, U.S. 
Navy.
  These 10 heroes join more than 100,000 veterans from across the 
country who, since 2005, have journeyed from their home states to 
Washington, DC, to reflect at the memorials built in honor of our 
nation's veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, each of us is humbled by the courage of these soldiers, 
sailors, and airmen who put themselves in harm's way for our country 
and way of life. As a nation, we can never fully repay the debt of 
gratitude owed to them for their honor, commitment, and sacrifice in 
defense of the freedoms we have today.
  My colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and the 
volunteers of Honor Flight of Oregon for their exemplary dedication and 
service to this great country. I especially want to recognize and thank 
Gail Yakopatz for her tireless work as president of Honor Flight of 
Oregon.