[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2909]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING HONOR FLIGHT CHICAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 5, 2012

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Honor Flight 
Chicago's commitment to serving our nation's World War II veterans.
  Honor Flight Chicago began in 2008 when Mary Pettinato, Jeanmarie 
Kapp, Nancy Kapp, and Suzanne Stanits decided to make an important 
difference in the lives of World War II veterans. While our country has 
honored the sacrifices of our veterans by building memorials in 
Washington, D.C., many of these veterans are not able to make the trip 
to see the monuments dedicated to their service.
  These four extraordinary women seized the opportunity to expand the 
Honor Flight Network's national mission to the Chicago area. Along with 
hundreds of volunteers, Honor Flight Chicago recognizes World War II 
Veterans with a day of gratitude, remembrance, and celebration. Because 
of their tireless dedication, veterans throughout northeast Illinois 
and northwest Indiana travel cost-free to see these memorials in 
Washington and return to a boisterous and heartwarming Chicago 
homecoming with family and friends that you have to see to believe.
  As our nation loses approximately 900 World War II veterans every 
day, Honor Flight works hard to ensure these heroes have an opportunity 
to fulfill their dreams and receive the thanks they deserve before it's 
too late.
  Since February 2008, Honor Flight Chicago has flown more than 2,000 
veterans to their war memorial at no cost to them. More than 700 
guardians and volunteers work day-in and day-out to raise the funds 
necessary to accomplish this mission and reach as many of the 25,000 
World War II veterans living in the Chicago area as possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the work of 
Honor Flight Chicago and in honoring our nation's veterans.

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