[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 10, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE FORT WALTON BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THEIR 
     INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO COMMEMORATING THE DOOLITTLE RAIDERS

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                            HON. MATT GAETZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2022

  Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Fort Walton Beach 
Chamber of Commerce for the historical contribution they have made in 
commemorating the Doolittle Raiders.
  The mission of the Doolittle Raiders was to strike back at the 
Japanese military after their attack on Pearl Harbor. Lt. Colonel James 
Doolittle began training the Doolittle Raiders at Eglin Air Force Base 
just weeks before their historic raid. Before leaving Eglin, the 
Doolittle Raiders would become some of the greatest and most capable 
fighting pilots of all time.
  In April of 1942, the Doolittle Raiders began their historic flight. 
However, they were reported by a Japanese vessel off the coast of 
California. They decided to launch their mission early in order to 
surprise the Japanese fleet that had been notified of their attack. 
Unfortunately, this early launch meant they would not have enough gas 
to make it to their designated landing place. As a result, many would 
have to either bail or perform a crash landing.
  Despite this, the historic Doolittle Raid was invaluable to American 
morale in the early stages of WWII, which inevitably changed its 
course.
  In the years following WWII, the Raiders held reunions commemorating 
the Doolittle Raid and all it stood for. Each reunion they would toast 
the Raiders who had passed since their last meeting. In 2013, the last 
reunion took place in Fort Walton Beach, and in 2019, the last 
Doolittle Raider, Bud Cole, passed away.
  This year, the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce sponsored a 
final commemorative toast to Bud Cole and the Doolittle Raiders at 
Northwest Florida State College. The distinguished honor bestowed upon 
these great servicemen by the Fort Walton Beach Chamber will never be 
forgotten.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to recognize Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and their 
commitment to preserving the memory of these national heroes. I thank 
them for their service and dedication to the legacies of these historic 
U.S. Servicemembers.

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