Recognizing the Veterans Airlift Command

Floor Speech

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Mr. OBERNOLTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding service of the Veteran Airlift Command, an organization which I've volunteered with for many years that has a dedicated network of volunteers working to support our nation's wounded warriors across the country.

The Veteran Airlift Command, founded by Vietnam War veteran Walter Fricke, has impacted the lives of countless wounded veterans by providing them and their families air transportation when they desperately need it. After being wounded while serving as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, Walter, like countless other wounded veterans, had to face the challenges presented by everyday civilian life. He realized that despite commercial air travel constituting one of the most essential aspects of modern life, it was among the most inaccessible, especially for our wounded veterans.

As a military trained pilot with over 800 hours of combat flying, Walter was well equipped to remedy this issue. He had an idea for a national organization of volunteer pilots and aircraft that would fly wounded warriors and their families with dignity, respect, and gratitude, and so in 2006 he founded the Veteran Airlift Command.

Walter started the Veterans Airlift Command with his own personal finances, flying expertise, and aircraft, but today the Veterans Airlift Command has grown into substantial program that boasts a volunteer core of over 2,600 volunteer pilots and aircraft with over 18,000 passengers successfully flown.

The VAC has been and will continue to be an incredible and essential lifeline for wounded veterans and their families. Thanks to their work and that of thousands of volunteer pilots across the country, we can give back to our nation's wounded warriors and provide the dignity, respect, and comfort that our heroes deserve. I am honored to recognize the VAC today and proud to have the opportunity to volunteer with this organization and give back to those who have sacrificed part of themselves in the defense of this Nation.

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