[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16818]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   WELCOMING AND HONORING THE VETERANS OF THE NOVEMBER 3, 2011 QUAD 
                       CITIES, IOWA HONOR FLIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID LOEBSACK

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 4, 2011

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, today I have the great honor of welcoming 
to our Nation's capital eighty-nine Iowa veterans of the Greatest 
Generation. Accompanied by seventy volunteer guardians, these veterans 
have travelled to Washington, DC to visit the monument that was built 
in their honor.
  For many if not all of these veterans, today will be the first time 
they have seen the National World War II Memorial. I can think of no 
greater honor than to be there when they see their memorial for the 
first time and to personally thank Iowa's--and our Nation's--heroes.
  I proudly have in my office a piece of marble from the quarry that 
supplied the marble which was used to build the World War II Memorial. 
That piece of marble, just like the memorial that it built, reminds me 
of the sacrifices of a generation that, when our country was 
threatened, rose to defend not just our Nation but the freedoms, 
democracy, and values that we hold so dear. They did so as one people 
and one country. Their sacrifices and determination in the face of 
great threats to our way of life are both humbling and inspiring.
  The sheer magnitude of what they accomplished, not just in war but in 
the peace that followed has stood as an inspiration to every generation 
since. The Greatest Generation did not seek to be tested both abroad by 
a war that fundamentally challenged our way of life and at home by the 
Great Depression and the rebuilding of our economy that followed. But, 
when called upon to do so, they defended and then rebuilt our Nation. 
Their patriotism, service, and great sacrifice not only defined their 
generation--they stand as a testament to the fortitude of our Nation.
  I am tremendously proud to welcome the Quad Cities Honor Flight and 
Iowa's veterans of the Second World War to our Nation's capital today. 
On behalf of every Iowan I represent, I thank them for their service to 
our country.

                          ____________________