[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6420-6421]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WORLD WAR II VETERANS VISIT

  Mr. BEGICH. Madam President, this month, 46 veterans from the Last 
Frontier and Golden Heart Chapters of the Honor Flight Network are 
traveling from Alaska to Washington, DC, to visit their memorials. I 
know you will join me in welcoming these heroes to our Nation's capital 
and recognizing their service to our Nation.

[[Page 6421]]

  I would like to record the individual names of those who traveled 
from Alaska to be here today. World War II Veterans of the Alaska 
Territorial Guard: Mr. Wesley Aiken, Mr. Gust Bartman, Mr. Sigurd L. 
Edwards, Mr. Daniel E. Henry, Sr., Mr. Daniel K. Karmun, Mr. David U. 
Leavitt, Sr., Mr. Henry H. Neligan, and Mr. Vincent Tocktoo, Sr. World 
War II Veterans: Mr. William R. Alter, Army; Mr. Bruce E. Arndt, Army; 
Ms. Nancy Baker, Army Air Corp; Mr. Robert H. Breakfield, Navy; Mr. 
William E. Bush, Marines; Mr. Norman H.V. Elliott, Army; Mr. David K. 
Fison, Navy; Mr. Frank E. Flavin, Army; Mr. Kirtley E. Franse, Air 
Force & Army; Mr. Malven R. Gaither, Navy; Mr. Eldon L. Gallear, 
Merchant Marines; Mr. George G. Gilbertson, Navy; Mr. Warren G. 
Hackney, Merchant Marines; Mr. Arthur Hammer, Air Force, Mr. Robert P. 
Harrison, Army; Mr. Donald M. Hoover, Navy; Mr. Robert L. Johnston, 
Navy; Mr. Willard J. Jorgensen, Army; Mr. Robert W. Kittleson, Navy & 
Air Force; Mr. Gordon E. Kler, Navy; Mr. Thomas Lewis, Navy; Mr. Gerald 
J. Lind, Air Force & Army; Ms. Bette-Rae Mattoon, Navy WAVE; Mr. Roby 
S. Mchone, Army; Mr. Leon N. Merkes, Army; Mr. George R. Painter, 
Merchant Marines; Ms. Charlotte K. Schwid, Army; Mr. Joseph E. Stanger, 
Air Force; Ms. Francis A. Swaim, Army; Mr. George C. Swift, Coast 
Guard; Mr. James H. Weaver, Army; and Mr. Edward C. Willis, Merchant 
Marines. Korean War Veterans: Mr. William Blocolsky, Navy; Ms. Lorane 
J. Mobley, Navy; and Mr. Richard C. Sullivan, Marines. Vietnam War 
Veterans: Mr. Roger W. Brooks, Army; Mr. Alan L. Coble, Army; and Mr. 
Clifford E. Mobley, Army.
  These veterans from Alaska join over 118,000 other veterans from 
across the land who, since 2005, have traveled to our Nation's capital 
to visit and reflect at memorials built here in their honor. This Honor 
Flight was made possible by generous public donations and contributions 
from those who wish to honor these heroes.
  We owe so much to our active duty military and veterans who put 
themselves in harm's way for our country and protect our freedoms. 
Without their courage, commitment and sacrifice, we would not enjoy the 
liberties we cherish today.
  On behalf of a grateful Nation, I extend my sincerest gratitude. I 
also extend my thanks to the staff, volunteers and supporters of the 
Honor Flight program who make these trips possible.
  Again, thank you to all Alaska veterans and volunteers for their 
dedication, commitment, and service.

                          ____________________