[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    WELCOMING THE NINTH HONOR FLIGHT SOUTH ALABAMA TO WASHINGTON, DC

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize 
Honor Flight South Alabama and the World War II veterans this very 
special organization is bringing on its ninth and final flight to 
Washington, DC, on May 8, 2013. I am honored to insert this tribute in 
the Record on the anniversary of the unconditional surrender of Germany 
to the allies.
   Founded by the South Alabama Veterans Council, Honor Flight South 
Alabama is an organization whose mission is to fly heroes from 
southwest Alabama to see their national memorial.
   Nearly seven decades have passed since the end of World War II and, 
regrettably, it took nearly this long to complete work on the memorial 
that honors the spirit and sacrifice of the 16 million who served in 
the U.S. Armed Forces and the more than 400,000 who died. Sadly, many 
veterans did not live long enough to hear their country say ``thank 
you,'' yet for those veterans still living, Honor Flight provides for 
many their first--and perhaps only-- opportunity to see the National 
World War II Memorial, which honors their service and sacrifice.
   This final Honor Flight begins at dawn when the veterans will gather 
at historic Fort Whiting in Mobile and travel to Mobile Regional 
Airport to board a chartered flight to Washington. During their time in 
their nation's capital, the veterans will visit the World War II 
Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and other memorials.
  The veterans will return to Mobile Regional Airport that evening, 
where some 1,000 people are expected to greet them.
  Mr. Speaker, the May 8, 2013, journey of heroes from South Alabama is 
an appropriate time for us to pause and thank them--and all of the 
soldiers who fought in World War II. They collectively--and literally--
saved the world. They personify the very best America has to offer, and 
I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to their selfless 
devotion to our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
  I salute each of the veterans who made the trip to Washington. May we 
never forget their valiant deeds and tremendous sacrifices:
  Bill Addis; Bill Audrain; George Baker; Joe Befay; Benny Bender; 
Jerry Bernhardt; Bill Bidez; K.E. Bray; Tommy Breedlove; Bern 
Brunegraff; George Bryan; Don Burch; Bob Campbell, Sr.; Homer F. 
Campbell, Sr.; Regie Carpentier; Giles Chapman, Jr.; Ted Christakos; Ed 
Clapper; John Coleman; Frank Coleman.
  Bill Collins, Sr.; Emmett Cox; Jack Davis; John Dodd; Wyman Dupuis; 
Harry Ellegood; Bill Evers; Bob Ewer; Wes Ferrill; James Forte; William 
Fountain; Aubrey Fulford; Norm Garlotte; Joe Godwin; Red Guy; Sid 
Hamilton; John Hampton; Dean Hansen; J.C. Harris, Jr.; Vida Hartfield.
  Dick Havron; Robert Hedgepeth; Morris Helms; Dorsey Henderson; Jim 
Hill; E.R. Holt; L.V. Horne; Dixie Howell; Joe Jones; Joseph Jones; 
Leon Jones; John Kane; Hilda Kay; Kuhlie Kuhlmann; Will Lambert, Sr.; 
Herb Law, Jr.; Bo Lewis, Jr.; John Littlepage; Edward Mahon; Ken Main.
  Bob Maley; L.C. Malone; Fred Mason; Wild Bill Mathers, Sr.; Duke 
McCall; Chuck McDonald; Albert McFadden; John C. McFerrin; Nute McLain; 
Ralph McLaney; Bob McLeod; Mac McRae; Caylop Minchew; Sparks Morris; 
Maurice Neely; Don Nelson; Lewis Nichols; Jack Nolan, Sr.; Dick Nolte, 
Sr.; Don Palmer.
  Gene Passmore; Bill Phillips; William Rentz; Win Ritchie; Don 
Roberts; Porter Roberts, Jr.; Jerry Ryals; Tom Shackelford; Herman 
Shaddix; Terry Shiver; Gene Sorik; Capt. Les Stinson; Steve Thames; 
Howard Walker, Jr.; Willie Wilson; Doc Wise; Dutch Yon; Marion Yonge; 
and Robert Johnson, Jr.

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