[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16133]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  WELCOMING AND HONORING THE VETERANS OF THE OCTOBER 25, 2011 NEWTON 
                             FREEDOM FLIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID LOEBSACK

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2011

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, today, over 160 Iowa veterans from the 
World War II, Korean, and Vietnam Wars will travel to our nation's 
capital to visit the monuments that were built in their honor by a 
grateful nation. For many of these veterans, today will be the first 
time they will visit the capital and the first time that they will see 
their monuments.
  On Sunday, they were given a warm send-off by their neighbors and 
friends from Newton and throughout Jasper County. More than 800 Iowans 
gathered to give them the recognition they deserve but, for far too 
many of these heroes, was never received. When they arrive in 
Washington today, I can think of no greater honor than to be able to 
greet them and to personally thank Iowa's--and our nation's--heroes for 
their service to our country.
  The Freedom Flight brings together three generations of veterans who 
will travel together and support one another throughout their trip. It 
also brings together veterans who were never given the homecoming they 
deserved. This trip, made possible by generous donations from Iowans, 
many of whom the veterans will never meet in person, demonstrates that 
we as a state and as a country will never forget the debt we owe those 
who have worn our nation's uniform. The veterans will be able to visit 
their monuments today because their fellow Iowans refused to let their 
service go unrecognized. That generosity is truly humbling and should 
inspire us all to continue to work each and every day on behalf of 
those who serve our nation.
  I am tremendously proud to welcome the Newton Freedom Flight and 
Iowa's veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War to 
our nation's capital today. On behalf of every Iowan I represent, I 
thank them for their service to our country.

                          ____________________