[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO TEXAS PANHANDLE HONOR FLIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAC THORNBERRY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2014

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 33 veterans from 
Texas who visited Washington, D.C., on October 10, 2014, through the 
Texas Panhandle Honor Flight. My wife, Sally, and I had the distinct 
pleasure of welcoming these heroes to the Capitol.
   The veterans on this flight were: Brown, Jerry; Chambers, Obra 
Gerald; Crittenden, Max; Ediger, Walt; Elliott, Glenn; Godowic, Paul; 
Hartley, Gary; Hickey, D.W.; Howell, Jack; Hunter, Vaughn; Hutson, 
James; Jones, Dick; Keller, Walt; Kennedy, James; Kinser, David Wayne; 
Lewis, Carroll; Mantooth, Billy; McManaman, Dennis; Megert, Russell; 
Merrick, Jim; Morris, Jerry; Pollard, Patrick; Putnam, Julian; Runion, 
Thomas; Saiz, Jimmy; Schramm, Bert; Smith, Berry; Smith, Benjamin; 
Stratton, Henry; Swearengen, Gordon; White, Pete; Wilhelm, Tom; 
Williamson, Norman.
   It was an honor to have the opportunity to visit with these veterans 
and the volunteers who traveled with them and to show them a symbol of 
their dedication to this country and the democracy for which they 
fought. The willingness of the men and women in our military to put 
their lives on the line to protect our country and all of the freedoms 
we enjoy deserves our utmost gratitude and respect. I hope that their 
visit to Washington, D.C., and the Capitol was a small token of our 
appreciation for all they have given us throughout the years.
   Colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans and their 
families for their exemplary dedication and service to this great 
nation. I want to extend a significant thank you to the local 
communities, all of the volunteers, and America Supports You Texas for 
their extensive work in organizing this Honor Flight. This trip would 
not have been possible without all of the financial and emotional 
support of those people.

                          ____________________