[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6123-6124]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        ALWAYS FREE HONOR FLIGHT

 Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, with immense pride, I wish to 
recognize the 25 heroic veterans who have traveled to Washington from 
West Virginia on this year's Always Free Honor Flight this week. This 
truly moving event serves as a unique opportunity for us to honor and 
share our deepest gratitude for these individuals who have sacrificed 
so much in the service of our great Nation.
  With one of our country's highest per capita rates of military 
servicemembers and veterans, West Virginia is undoubtedly one of our 
Nation's most patriotic States. Throughout the history of the Mountain 
State, our citizens have demonstrated the bravery and selflessness time 
and again in making tremendous sacrifices to keep our homeland safe and 
free. According to the Department of Defense, West Virginia had the 
highest casualty rate in the Nation during the Vietnam war, and I am so 
proud that the honor flight will allow these West Virginia veterans to 
pay homage to their brethren at the Vietnam wall. As these veterans 
tour the monuments that have been constructed in their honor, I offer 
my sincerest thanks to them on behalf of our Nation for their service.
  The veterans joining us in Washington hail from across West Virginia, 
from Scott Depot and Princeton to Rainelle and Lewisburg. They have 
served in World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, during the 
Cold War prior to the Berlin Wall's collapse, and the wars in the 
Middle East. They have participated in decisive overseas battles and 
won myriad accolades for their accomplishments in uniform.
  First and foremost, I wish to remember PO3 Earnest McKenzie, an 
Athens, WV, native, who joined the U.S. Navy in 1955 and served on the 
USS Brownson in the Vietnam war. He was supposed to attend this week's 
honor flight to visit the memorials made in his honor, but he sadly 
passed away on Friday at the age of 75. My thoughts and prayers are 
with his family during this sad time, and I sincerely thank him for his 
service and sacrifice.
  I especially wish to recognize our World War II veterans who will be 
on this honor flight. Ninety-four year old former SN William ``Ray'' 
Calvin Sexton from Tazewell, joined the Navy in Bramwell, WV, in 1943 
and was a gunner stationed in Panama and the Galapagos Islands. We will 
also be joined by Machinist Mate Third Class Marion Grey Noel, who 
joined the Navy in the 1940s and bravely fought at the battle of Iwo 
Jima and Okinawa.
  These men truly represent the sacrifices made by our Nation's 
``greatest generation'' and embody American patriotism and valor. They 
fearlessly fought in such a pivotal war in an era that threatened our 
existence as a nation. We are losing so many of our World War II 
veterans every day, and the time to show our utmost gratitude to them 
is here and now.
  I also wish to highlight the tremendous achievements of two Vietnam 
war veterans who will be on this honor flight. Mabscott, WV, native, 
former SPC Raymond C. Palmer joined the Army in 1967 and fought in the 
1968 Tet Offensive when the Vietcong and North Vietnamese forces 
launched a series of attacks on scores of towns and cities

[[Page 6124]]

through South Vietnam. Another Vietnam veteran participating in this 
week's honor flight is SSG Michael A. Hudnall of Rainelle, WV, who 
joined the Army in 1969. Staff Sergeant Hudnall served in the 1st Air 
Cavalry stationed in Bien Hoa and earned two Purple Hearts, two Bronze 
Stars, and two Air Medals. Their dedication to our Nation knows no 
bounds, and I thank them for their service.
  I also wish to recognize Army SFC Paul W. Dorsey of Bluefield, WV, 
who joined the Army in 1978. Sergeant First Class Dorsey served the 
United States for 10 years in Germany, more than 3 of which he was 
stationed in Berlin prior to the Wall's collapse. Following his return 
home, Sergeant First Class Dorsey went on to serve an additional decade 
stateside and continues to give back to his community. He is a JROTC 
instructor at Montcalm High School in Mercer City and serves as vice 
president of the Always Free Honor Flight network. Thank you, Sergeant 
First Class Dorsey, for your lifelong commitment to the U.S. military 
and our veterans.
  The veterans participating in this week's honor flight range in age 
from 54 to 94 and have fought for our freedom in many historic events. 
This week, as we celebrate these incredible veterans and their 
answering our Nation's call of duty, we must remember that the men and 
women who have given so much to ensure America's safety deserve the 
utmost care and support upon their return home.
  We must continue to fight for a Department of Veterans Affairs that 
provides our veterans with the services they very much need and 
deserve.
  This week's honor flight and the continued support of our veterans 
would not be possible without the dedication of so many volunteers and 
caregivers. I wish to thank the JROTC cadets from Princeton, Montcalm, 
Bluefield, and Pikeview high schools, as well as the military spouses 
serving as the guardians on this year's honor flight. The care and love 
you provide for our veterans is invaluable and deeply appreciated.
  I also commend those in the Always Free Honor Flight network for 
their dedication to providing our veterans with such a unique and 
meaningful experience. My gratitude especially goes out to Dreama 
Denver, president of Always Free Honor Flight network and owner Little 
Buddy Radio of Princeton, WV, as well as Pam Coulbourne, the 
coordinator of these flights. Dreama and Pam launched the Always Free 
Honor Flight in 2012 and have been making the dreams of West Virginia's 
veterans a reality every year since. They, along with Sergeant First 
Class Dorsey and board member and official photographer Steve Coleman, 
have done a tremendous job of ensuring that our veterans receive the 
recognition they deserve. Dreama, Pam, and Steve have also dedicated 
themselves to the Denver Foundation, serving as incredible examples of 
how individuals can give back to their communities.
  Our Nation would not enjoy the freedom and liberty we do today 
without the commitment and sacrifice of the veterans who have served 
throughout our history. Their bravery and sacrifice know no bounds, and 
for this, we are forever grateful. With this week's Always Free Honor 
Flight, we celebrate and give thanks for these veterans and all they 
have done for our country.
  God bless our many servicemembers and veterans, the great State of 
West Virginia, and the United States of America.

                          ____________________