[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING HONOR FLIGHT HUNTINGTON

 Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, today I rise with immense pride in 
recognizing 85 heroic military veterans who will travel to Washington 
from West Virginia on the Honor Flight Huntington this week. During 
their time in our Nation's Capital, they will visit the monuments built 
in their honor. This truly moving event serves as a unique opportunity 
for us to honor and share our deepest gratitude for these individuals 
who have sacrificed so much in the service of our great Nation.
  With one of our country's highest per capita rates of military 
servicemembers and veterans, West Virginia is undoubtedly one of our 
Nation's most patriotic States. Throughout the history of the Mountain 
State, our citizens have demonstrated the bravery and selflessness time 
and again in making tremendous sacrifices to keep our homeland safe and 
free. According to the Department of Defense, West Virginia had the 
highest casualty rate in the Nation during the Vietnam war, and I am so 
proud that the Honor Flight Huntington will allow these West Virginia 
veterans to tour the monuments that have been constructed in their 
honor. I want to express my utmost gratitude to these special men and 
women for their noble sacrifice and extraordinary bravery and 
patriotism to keep our country free and safe.
  The 85 veterans participating in this week's Honor Flight Huntington 
truly embody the Mountain State's history and contributions to the 
safeguard of our American freedoms. Of the patriots attending, Billie 
Barton served in World War II, Robert Duvall, Francis Figler, Okey 
Gallien, Walter Kulczycki, Rodney Murphy, Robert Sullivan, and Freddie 
Wells served in the Korean war, Robert Montgomery served in both the 
Korean war and the Vietnam war, and 73 served in the Vietnam war. These 
men represent our Nation's best, and their sacrifices and valor embody 
American patriotism. They engaged in combat all over the world and 
fought in pivotal wars in a critical time for our Nation. 
Unfortunately, as the years go by, we are losing so many of our 
veterans, so we must show them our utmost gratitude each and every day.
  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.
  Our nation would not enjoy the freedom and liberty we do today 
without the commitment and sacrifice of the veterans who have served 
throughout our history. Their bravery and sacrifice know no bounds, and 
for this, we are forever grateful. With this week's Honor Flight 
Huntington, we celebrate and give thanks for these veterans and all 
they have done for our country.
  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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