[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12838]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE VOLUNTEERS OF HONOR FLIGHT SOUTH ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 31, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize the 
driving force behind Honor Flight South Alabama, the organization which 
sent more than 950 World War II veterans from Southwest Alabama to the 
National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC from 2009 to 2013.
  I was honored to have met all nine flights of courageous veterans as 
they arrived at their Memorial. The monumental effort required to 
complete these flights came to fruition due to the hard work of the 
seven key players, each donating their tremendous talents to ensure 
this noble effort to thank our veterans was a success. Today, I pay 
tribute to those who made this remarkable program possible: Margaret 
Coley, Col. Pat Downing, Col. John New, Cdr. Pete Riehm, Anne Eubanks, 
Tina McGrath, and Dr. Barry L. Booth.
  Over the last four years, Honor Flight South Alabama provided the 
veterans of Southwest Alabama an opportunity to visit the memorials on 
the National Mall as well as Arlington National Ceremony and to receive 
our Nation's sincerest gratitude for their selfless sacrifice and 
service. Honor Flight South Alabama chartered their final plane to 
Washington on May 8, 2013, and returned home to a grand welcome by 
family, friends and the community at large.
  While the Honor Flight South Alabama program gleamed in a well-
deserved spotlight, the efforts behind it went somewhat unnoticed. Each 
beautifully orchestrated event required careful attention to detail and 
collaboration. The organizing team of Honor Flight South Alabama worked 
together to create a powerful legacy of volunteerism. Therefore, it is 
my honor to recognize the people integral to the success of the 
program.
  Margaret Coley, the Director of Volunteer Activities and School 
Support System, took on the responsibility of the mail call from South 
Alabama students and the magnificent ticker tape parade at the Mobile 
Airport. Col. John New, the Security Liaison, coordinated the security 
arrangements between Mobile and Washington DC through the airports and 
U.S. Park Service. Cdr. Pete Riehm, Director of Operations, ensured a 
smooth Honor Flight orientation and flight day. Anne Eubanks, Director 
of Medical Support, ensured the veterans' medical care needs were met. 
Tina McGrath, Director of Administration, worked tirelessly to maintain 
and coordinate documentation and all administrative duties. Col. Pat 
Downing, Director of Guardian Training, was truly in the crosshairs of 
responsibility with the Guardian Training Program. And, of course, Dr. 
Barry L. Booth, Director of the Veteran Guardian Program, coordinated 
the assignments of all 957 veterans with their Guardians in each of the 
nine Honor Flights.
  Mr. Speaker, I am particularly grateful for the contributions of 
these men and women, and I rise to pay tribute to all those who have 
worked tirelessly to serve our area's veterans. May we never forget the 
valiant deeds and tremendous sacrifices of America's military heroes 
who have secured our Nation's freedom.

                          ____________________