[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23639]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO LOUISIANA WWII VETERANS

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I am proud to honor a group of 88 
World War II veterans from every region of Louisiana who are traveling 
to Washington, DC, this weekend to visit the various memorials and 
monuments that recognize the sacrifices of our Nation's invaluable 
service members.
  Louisiana HonorAir, a group based in Lafayette, LA, is sponsoring 
this Saturday's trip to the Nation's Capital. The organization is 
honoring each surviving World War II Louisiana veteran by giving them 
an opportunity to see the memorials dedicated to their service. On this 
trip, the veterans will visit the World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iwo 
Jima memorials. They will also travel to Arlington National Cemetery to 
lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns.
  This is the first of four flights Louisiana HonorAir will make to 
Washington, DC, this fall.
  World War II was one of America's greatest triumphs, but was also a 
conflict rife with individual sacrifice and tragedy. More than 60 
million people worldwide were killed, including 40 million civilians, 
and more than 400,000 American service members were slain during the 
long war. The ultimate victory over enemies in the Pacific and in 
Europe is a testament to the valor of American soldiers, sailors, 
airmen and marines. The years 1941 to 1945 also witnessed an 
unprecedented mobilization of domestic industry, which supplied our 
military on two distant fronts.
  In Louisiana, there remain today more than 33,000 living WWII 
veterans, and each one has a heroic tale of achieving the noble victory 
of freedom over tyranny. The oldest in this HonorAir group was born in 
1913. Two of these veterans began their service in the Louisiana 
National Guard as early as 1936, and were activated for Federal service 
in 1941.
  This group served in every branch of the military, including 29 in 
the U.S. Army, 14 in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 23 in the U.S. Navy, 8 in 
the U.S. Marine Corps, 2 in the U.S. Merchant Marines, one in the U.S. 
Coast Guard and one in the Women's Reserve of the U.S. Naval Reserve. 
Our heroes served across the globe, participating in major invasions 
such as the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Huertgen Forest, and the 
battles of Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome, Anzio, Po Valley and North 
Apennines. They served in Europe, North Africa and the Pacific Theater. 
One was wounded in Germany, and another was captured as a prisoner of 
war.
  Many of these veterans earned Purple Hearts, including one with three 
Battle Stars. One of our veterans went on to serve in both Korea and 
Vietnam, retiring in 1967.
  I ask the Senate to join me in honoring these 88 veterans, all 
Louisiana heroes, who we welcome to Washington this weekend and 
Louisiana HonorAir for making these trips a reality.

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