[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 71 (Monday, May 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WORLD WAR II VETERANS VISIT

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. President, over the past 2 years, the Big Sky Honor 
Flight has transported 755 World War II veterans to their memorial in 
Washington, DC. Before these trips, most of the veterans had never seen 
the memorial that was built in their honor.
  Our World War II veterans sacrificed so much for our country, often 
deploying for as long as 4 years, and then returned home to build the 
great country we have today. They truly are the greatest generation.
  The Big Sky Honor Flight started out as a powerful idea to honor 
Montana's veterans, but getting 755 veterans, their caregivers, and 
medical staff across the country and back is no easy task. Today I want 
to recognize the selfless servants who made the Big Sky Honor Flight a 
reality.
  The Big Sky Honor Flight Committee works tirelessly on behalf of our 
veterans. Their mission was to make sure every World War II veteran 
from Montana had the opportunity to visit our Nation's capital and see 
how grateful we are for their service. Today, as the ninth and final 
flight leaves Washington, DC, for Billings, MT, we are proud to say: 
mission accomplished.
  The Big Sky Honor Flight Committee successfully raised $1.45 million 
from Montanans to charter nine flights transporting the veterans to 
Washington, DC. The committee's dedication to bringing the veterans to 
see their monument was no easy task.
  As honorary chair of the Big Sky Honor Flight, I saw firsthand the 
work that went into identifying our veterans, providing transportation, 
and coordinating all of the logistics.
  As we celebrate the final Big Sky Honor Flight for our World War II 
veterans I want to pay tribute to the men and women who made the nine 
flights a reality: the Big Sky Honor Flight Committee.
  From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you to the Big Sky 
Honor Flight Committee: Chris Reinhard, George Blackard, Burt Gigoux, 
Becky Hillier, Bill Kennedy, Denise Licata, Cory Miller, Charlie Reed, 
Ray Robinson, Tiffany Samel, Annette Satterly, Kathy Shannon, Vicky 
Stephens, and Tina Vauthier.
  Thank you for your hard work and dedication to ensure that Montana's 
World War II veterans saw their memorial.

                          ____________________