[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
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

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2015

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50 World War II 
veterans from Oregon who will be visiting their memorial today in 
Washington, D.C. 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 as follows: Robert 
Bortvedt, Army; Eldon Dyer, Army; John Fellas, Army; Donald Ford, Army; 
RD, Sr. Fortner, Army; Clyde Harrop, Army; Donald Kiser, Army; Everett 
Lee, Army; Patrick O'Brien, Army; Lawrence Torrey, Army; Donald Bean, 
Army Air Forces; Donald Cresap, Army Air Forces; Harold Goff, Army Air 
Forces; Lawrence Kissinger, Army Air Forces; Francis Marvel, Army Air 
Forces; Raymond Morgan, Army Air Forces; Leo Morstad, Army Air Forces; 
James Riopelle, Army Air Forces; James Sperling, Coast Guard; Stanley 
Wheeler, Coast Guard; Harold Englet, Merchant Marines; Charles Kemph, 
Merchant Marines/Army; Kenneth Anderson, Navy; William Birkeland, Navy; 
Douglas Carer, Navy; Thomas Christman, Navy; Raynold Deluca Sr., Navy; 
Rupert Fixott, Navy; Donald Fowler, Navy; Ralph Grassmueck, Navy; 
Roland Halberg, Navy; Marvin Johnson, Navy; Robert Kahl, Navy; Kenneth 
Kerns, Navy; Harold Lay, Navy; Gerald Midbust, Navy; Clinton Peck, 
Navy; George Prusynski, Navy; Leo Schammel, Navy; Raymond Stahly, Navy; 
Earl Uptegrove, Navy; Murray Watts, Navy; Lyle Wescott, Navy; Merrill 
Williams, Navy; Robert Zimmerman, Navy; Joe Bruer, Marine Corps; Earle 
Costello, Marine Corps; Robert Miller, Marine Corps; Juanita Price, 
Marine Corps; and John Anderson, Navy Reserve.
  These 50 heroes join the estimated 20,000-25,000 veterans who will 
travel to Washington DC from their home states in 2015, adding to the 
138,800 veterans who have been honored through the Honor Flight Network 
of volunteers nationwide since 2005.
  Mr. Speaker, each of us is humbled by the courage of these soldiers, 
sailors, airmen, and Marines 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 
Dick Tobiason for his tireless work as president of Honor Flight of 
Oregon and trip leader Erik Tobiason for his efforts.

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