[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E710-E711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE HONOR FLIGHT OF EASTERN AND PORTLAND OREGON

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2015

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 48 World War II 
veterans from Oregon who will be visiting their memorial this Friday in 
Washington, D.C. through Bend Heroes Foundation. On behalf of a 
grateful state and country, we welcome these heroes to our nation's 
capital.
  The veterans on this flight from Oregon are: Joe DeMarsh, Army; Harry 
Galloway, Army; Donald Hoyt, Army; Robert Hughley, Army; Shige Imai, 
Army; Fred Krieger, Army; Steve Lund, Army; Roger Mockford, Army; Andy 
Riener, Army; Bud Simonis, Army; Jim Starr, Army; Bill Stewart, Army; 
Jack Tavenner, Army; Rodger Barber, Army Air Force; Les Barnhart, Army 
Air Force; Don Bennett, Army Air Force; Tom Bessonette, Army Air Force; 
Ralph Butterworth, Army Air Force; Nick Cassinelli, Army Air Force; 
Dick Ford, Army Air Force; Fred Forsythe, Army Air Force; Ed Miller, 
Army Air Force; Jim Murphy, Army Air Force; Sandy Porter, Army Air 
Force; Kenny Arnold, Navy; Betty Ashford, Navy; Don Bower, Navy; Gib 
Branstetter, Navy; Mike Brant, Navy; Frankie Carling, Navy; Paul 
Clayton, Navy; Dalton Fox, Navy; Bob Grills, Navy; Carroll 
Heckenlively, Navy; Cal Husbands, Navy; Royce Irby, Navy; Vern Kube, 
Navy; Harry Kuhlmann, Navy; Ken Larsen, Navy; Ernie McCabe, Navy; 
Donald McLaughlin, Navy; Lloyd McNary, Navy; Alice Tatone, Navy; Al 
Walters, Navy; Fred Warner, Navy; George Griffith, Marine Corps; Irv 
Kaplan, Marine Corps; Ted Carlson, USCG Merchant Marine.
  These 48 heroes join more than 138,000 veterans from across the 
country who, since 2005, have journeyed from their home states to 
Washington, D.C. 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 brave 
Americans 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.

[[Page E711]]

  My colleagues, please join me in thanking these veterans of Honor 
Flight of Eastern and Portland Oregon for their exemplary dedication 
and service to this great country. I especially want to recognize Bend 
Heroes Foundation Chairman Dick Tobiason, and Trip Leaders Erik 
Tobiason and Pam Kelsay. Their tireless work will result in over 450 
World War II veterans from Honor Flight of Eastern and Portland Oregon 
visiting the memorials and U.S. Capitol.

                          ____________________