[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7593]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING WEST VIRGINIA VETERANS

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I wish to welcome some of West Virginia's 
most outstanding citizens to Washington. This week, as part of the 
fifth annual Always Free Honor Flight Program, we will recognize 
veterans from my home State for their dedicated commitment to our 
country. In light of West Virginia's proud tradition of military 
service, it gives me great pleasure to honor these brave men and women 
who answered the call of duty during America's hour of need.
  Since its inception, the Always Free Honor Flight Program has taken 
up the important task of thanking those to which we owe our deepest 
gratitude. As the daughter of a World War II veteran, this is something 
very near and dear to my heart. This year, we are joined by 29 Vietnam, 
Korea and World War II veterans from all across southern West Virginia.
  These brave patriots sacrificed the comforts of home to defend the 
cause of freedom in a foreign land. The perseverance of our soldiers 
during these conflicts cannot be overstated. These individuals embody 
the extraordinary sacrifice exhibited by our service men and women 
throughout the greatest conflicts of the 20th century.
  One veteran on this year's trip, SGT John M. Watson, Jr., who served 
with the renowned Tuskegee Airmen, will be honored with the 
Congressional Gold Medal for his service during World War II.
  In addition to Sergeant Watson, West Virginia veterans participating 
in this year's Always Free Honor Flight Program include Joseph F. 
Graham, Bluefield, WWII; Staff Sergeant Robert Graham, Hinton, WWII and 
Korean war; First Sergeant Melvin L. Grubb, Bluefield, WWII and Korean 
war; Staff Sergeant Robert G. Kushner, Charleston, Korean war; Airman 
First Class Herbert R. Dickerson, Beckley, Korean war; Corporal Billy 
G. Cooper, Milton, Korean war; Corporal James W. Bennett, Charleston, 
Korean war; Richard L. Graham, Beckley Korean war; Petty Officer Second 
Class William B. Sowers, Princeton, Korean war; Petty Officer Third 
Class Charles E. Turley, Scott Depot, Korean war; Colonel Jack E. 
Fincham, Brenton, Vietnam war; Sergeant Philip Templeton, Milton, 
Vietnam war; Petty Officer Second Class John W. Fleming, Princeton, 
Vietnam war; Master Sergeant Edward F. Simmons, Bluefield, Vietnam war; 
Airman Second Class Nancy J. Simmons, Bluefield, Vietnam war; Sergeant 
Fred R. Smith, Hurricane, Vietnam war; Sergeant Marshall G. Mann, 
Princeton, Vietnam war; Sergeant James R. Bond, Midway, Vietnam war; 
Senior Airman Allan D. Harbour, Princeton, Vietnam war; Sergeant First 
Class Andrew J. Thompson, Bluefield, Vietnam war; Captain Charles H. 
Mann, Athens, Vietnam war; Seaman Thomas E. Caruso, Lashmeet, Vietnam 
war; Sergeant Gordon L. Caldwell, Jr., Bluefield, Vietnam war; Lance 
Corporal Ricky D. Williams, Beckley, Vietnam war; Senior Airman Mary 
Byrd, Nitro, Vietnam war; Corporal Johnny L. Sanson, Cyclone, Vietnam 
war; Sergeant Dennis C. Hurley, Cyclone, Vietnam war; Corporal William 
Cox, Bluefield, Vietnam war; and Corporal William L. Harry, Butler, TN, 
Korean war.
  Veterans participating in the Honor Flight as ``guardians'' include 
Command Sergeant Major Kevin L. Harry from Milton; Sergeant First Class 
Mark A. Harry from St. Albans, and Specialist Selena K. Barker of 
Milton. These men and women are voluntarily dedicating their time to 
helping ensure that our veterans receive the thank-you they deserve.
  A great debt of gratitude is also owed to Dreama Denver, president of 
the Denver Foundation and Little Buddy Radio. These nonprofit 
organizations, which were founded by Dreama and her husband, Bob 
Denver, established the Always Free Honor Flight Network in West 
Virginia.
  I am so proud of the service and sense of duty that defines the 
American people. As the beneficiaries of that service, one of the most 
sacred tasks we hold is properly honoring the dedication of our 
veterans. In bringing them together with the symbols of their 
sacrifice, we can express our unyielding gratitude while demonstrating 
our lasting commitment to preserving their memory. One of the greatest 
honors of serving in the United States Senate is representing citizens 
who have given so much to their country. I take seriously the duty of 
ensuring that their sacrifice is honored with the same steadfast 
conviction with which they defended the rights and freedoms of every 
American. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming and 
thanking these exceptional West Virginia veterans.

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