[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING HONOR FLIGHT OF CENTRAL OREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CLIFF BENTZ

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 23, 2024

  Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Korean, Vietnam, and 
WWII War Veterans from Oregon's Second Congressional District who are 
visiting their memorials on the WWII Memorial through the efforts of 
Honor Flight of Oregon. When I have the opportunity to meet these 
heroes, I am reminded of President Ronald Reagan's words: ``The future 
doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.'' Our 
veterans embody this spirit, having fought valiantly in Korea, Vietnam, 
and WWII to preserve the freedoms we hold dear. Their courage and 
dedication REMIND us that the price of liberty is always worth paying. 
It is my privilege to include in the Record their names.
  Veterans on this Honor Flight from Oregon are as follows: George 
Adams, Valton Albert, Donald Bemis, Michael Donnelly, Charles Hagadone, 
William Hagadone, Kenneth Hart, Joseph Hironaka, Joseph R. Hironaka, 
Robert Houk, Neil Hummel, Paul Lofland, Katherine Berg, Matthew 
Markovic, Kevin Maher, Melvin Mook, Kevin Krieger, Thomas O'Neil, 
Richard Patten, Robert Penney, James SantaMaria, Michael Shellito, 
Robert Smith, William Smith, Keith Elzner, Larry Stoke, Steven Strable, 
Robert Verlezza, Duane Whitehead. These heroes join over 260,000 
Veterans who have been honored through the Honor Flight Network of 
volunteers nationwide since 2005.
  Mr. Speaker, President Harry S. Truman once stated, ``Our debt to the 
heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be 
repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.'' As a Nation, we must 
never take for granted the liberties we enjoy today, recognizing that 
these freedoms have been hard-won by the honor, commitment, and 
sacrifice of our Veterans. Each Member in this chamber and every 
citizen in these United States should be humbled by the courage of the 
brave Veterans who voluntarily faced danger and adversity to preserve 
our country and way of life. Colleagues, please join me in thanking 
these Veterans and the volunteers of Honor Flight of Oregon for their 
remarkable service and devotion to our great country.

                          ____________________