[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3230-S3231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WORLD WAR II VETERANS VISITS

  Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, today I am incredibly honored to 
recognize a group of 30 heroic military veterans who have traveled from 
southern West Virginia to visit our Nation's capital as part of the 
fourth Always Free Honor Flight. On the occasion of their visit, in 
which they will see for the first time the monuments built in their 
honor, I want to express my utmost gratitude to these special men and 
women for their extraordinary bravery and patriotism, and for their 
noble sacrifice to help keep our country free.
  I have said this time and time again--West Virginia is one of the 
most patriotic States in this great Nation. With one of the country's 
highest per capita rates of military servicemembers and veterans, we 
are so proud of the many citizens who have served and who are actively 
serving in the military. The 30 veterans participating in today's 
Always Free Honor Flight truly embody the Mountain State's history and 
contributions to the safeguard of our American freedoms.
  Our special West Virginians visiting today represent three 
generations of warriors--5 served in World War II, 9 served in the 
Korean War, and 16 served in the Vietnam War. They range from 63-90 
years of age, and have traveled from all parts of our great State--from 
New Martinsville to Bluefield, Huntington to Princeton to Beckley, and 
many places in between. In addition to our Mountain State vets, two 
veterans from bordering Bland and Tazewell Counties in Virginia have 
accompanied their West Virginia neighbors on the day-long adventure.
  I especially want to recognize our two women veterans who joined 
today's honor flight, both of whom are the first women to make the 
Always Free Honor Flight trip. Helen ``J'' Wheby served in the Korean 
war as an office worker in the Navy. Vanda Jane Butcher served in the 
Vietnam war

[[Page S3231]]

with the rank of a seaman as a part of an air flight crew in the Navy. 
Despite the challenges, sacrifices, and hardships they faced while 
defending this Nation, these women voluntarily stepped forward and put 
service above self to preserve our freedoms. We cannot thank them 
enough for their tremendous courage and their sacrifices.
  Showing our appreciation to those who have served is something that 
we should do each and every day, but today is a special day to pay 
tribute and thank those who have volunteered to put their lives on the 
line for our freedoms. The memorials our Honor Flight participants will 
visit today serve as an important reminder to us all that our freedoms 
and liberties come at a steep cost. However, I know our veterans will 
find special meaning and potentially long-lost emotions when they tour 
such touching sites.
  The brave West Virginia heroes today have all served this country in 
a variety of ways, working both at home and abroad. They have engaged 
in combat all over the world, traveling to the Panama Canal, working on 
the docks of Saigon, and serving in historic events such as the Cuban 
Missile Crisis. One of our visiting Vietnam veterans, Stephen Douglas 
Phillips of New Martinsville, earned not just one, but two Purple 
Hearts. Another, Gary Curtis Harold of Shady Spring has received both a 
Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
  But regardless of their rank or duty, each and every one of these 
veterans answered our Nation's call and has served with incredible 
pride and valor.
  Additionally, I would like to recognize the nine volunteers, or so-
called ``guardians,'' who have accompanied the veterans during their 
trip today. These guardians have selflessly given their time to travel 
alongside our veterans all the way from Princeton, WV to Washington, DC 
to share this very special journey with them.
  I am also tremendously grateful for all those involved in the Always 
Free Honor Flight Network, especially the president of the Denver 
Foundation and owner of Little Buddy Radio in Princeton--Dreama Denver. 
Along with coordinator and executive assistant, Dreama launched the 
Always Free Honor Flight and has planned four trips within a 2-year 
span for our West Virginia veterans. I commend Dreama, Pam, and all the 
Denver Foundation staff for their dedication and commitment to West 
Virginia's large veteran population. They have offered the people in 
West Virginia just one more way to say thank you' to our veterans for 
their service and sacrifice.
  I am filled with pride every time I meet the patriots who have served 
our country, and I am so pleased to welcome West Virginia's most 
courageous veterans, who are all heroes, to Washington, DC. I encourage 
all of my colleagues to join me in saluting them. They truly inspire us 
all as we are reminded of their selfless service. It is because of 
their bravery that all Americans enjoy the greatest liberties and 
freedoms in the world.
  God bless all our servicemembers and veterans, God bless the great 
State of West Virginia, and God bless the United States of America.

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