[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11033]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        AMERICAN LEGION POST 27

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
recognize the achievements of American Legion Post 27 out of Muscatine, 
IA. This group hosted its first World War II Honor Tour in Washington, 
DC, in October 2008, sponsoring 30 World War II veterans from the 
Muscatine area. The local community raised funds by holding yard sales, 
dances, and tournaments, and also by asking help from local businesses 
and friends. The veterans attending the tour were accompanied by family 
members and volunteers who donated their time and money to come along 
on the trip. While in DC, the group visited several historical sites 
including the World War II Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. I 
am very proud to represent these honorable veterans and ask unanimous 
consent that an article written about their time in Washington by 
Melissa Regennitter of the Muscatine Journal be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                      [From the Muscatine Journal]

                        (By Melissa Regennitter)

       Muscatine, Iowa.--A trip to Washington D.C. became a 
     memorable experience for 30 World War II veterans who had the 
     chance to share memories and make new ones with old friends. 
     Many people made new friends along the journey as well.
       Muscatine hosted its first WWII Honor Tour in October after 
     much hard work and dedication from area volunteers who raised 
     more than $35,000 to give the vets an all-inclusive tour of 
     D.C. and Virginia memorials. That trip included a visit to 
     their memorial, the World War II Memorial in D.C.--situated 
     between Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Memorial. The 
     trip came about after Pam Ramer, former president of the 
     American Legion Post 27 Auxiliary heard a heartwarming story 
     about an Honor Tour her uncle Jim Marshall, 82, a former Navy 
     radio operator from Mount Pleasant, had done. His wife 
     Pauline helped him out and their tour took place in April.
       Marshall had already taken the trip, complete with meals, 
     bus tour, hotel and flight, so Ramer looked to him to get 
     things in order. He had told her of the emotional journey it 
     had been, how the vets were treated with dignity, cheers and 
     handshakes, and how much it seemed to mean to them to go on a 
     trip they otherwise may never have taken. By June Ramer had 
     set her mind to the goal and knew it would be about $1,100 
     per person. Though it felt like an impossible target, 
     fundraising and a town with a love for its veterans made the 
     elaborate scheme possible.
       Fundraisers galore! Post 27 held a yard sale, 1950s-60s 
     dance, car show, volleyball and golf tournaments, dinners and 
     silent auctions. Business in town took part, offering a place 
     to hold the events, donations and prizes. Senators, 
     corporations and school kids who collected change donated 
     money and were recognized on the ``flag of honor'' wall at 
     the Legion. A woman even gave a house full of furniture to 
     auction off and a local auctioneer volunteered his time to 
     help sell it.
       Everyone involved contacted businesses and business 
     associates to ask for support. The reception from the 
     community was remarkable as the word spread; the goal was met 
     a few weeks before the send-off ceremony was held.
       AirTran Airways went out of their way to make scheduling 
     accommodations for the 48 people who went; 30 veterans and 18 
     family members and helpers. The pilots were as happy to have 
     the vets on the plane as the vets were to be going to D.C. 
     When the plane landed at the Ronald Reagan Washington 
     National Airport, fire trucks sprayed the aircraft down as it 
     taxied in. The captain said it was a high honor and a way to 
     show appreciation for the vets.
       Many monuments. The group arrived on Thursday, Oct. 2, to a 
     Tysons Corner Marriot in Northern Virginia. The weekend was 
     packed with visits to historical sites including The World 
     War II, Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, Marine Corps and Korean 
     memorials as well as Air Force and Navy memorials and 
     museums. They also went to Arlington National Cemetery, the 
     Pentagon, Mt. Vernon and the estate of George Washington, the 
     U.S. Capitol, the White House and downtown D.C. where they 
     shopped for souvenirs and saw Ford's Theater where Abe 
     Lincoln was shot and the home he died in.
       At Arlington, a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 
     brought tears to the eyes of many and honor to all as a group 
     of the Muscatine-area veterans were allowed to participate in 
     a wreath-laying ceremony.
       The veterans were treated to fine dining where they enjoyed 
     extravagant meals and desserts which were all a part of the 
     tour package. A helping hand. Along with the 29 men and one 
     woman veteran were 10 family members who paid their own way 
     to take the trip. In addition to those people, eight 
     volunteers paid their own way so they could be there to push 
     wheelchairs, lend a hand to those who might need it, keep 
     things organized and even make the veterans laugh. What ended 
     up happening was a new found sense of honor for those who had 
     served. The helpers were at times more emotional than the 
     veterans and bonds grew that no one really expected. All of 
     the helpers say that they came home with new friends and made 
     memories they'll never forget.

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