Recognizing Honor Flight of Central Oregon

Floor Speech

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Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Korean, Vietnam, and WWII War Veterans from Oregon's Second Congressional District who are visiting their memorials on the WWII Memorial through the efforts of Honor Flight of Oregon. When I have the opportunity to meet these heroes, I am reminded of President Ronald Reagan's words: ``The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.'' Our veterans embody this spirit, having fought valiantly in Korea, Vietnam, and WWII to preserve the freedoms we hold dear. Their courage and dedication REMIND us that the price of liberty is always worth paying. It is my privilege to include in the Record their names.

Veterans on this Honor Flight from Oregon are as follows: George Adams, Valton Albert, Donald Bemis, Michael Donnelly, Charles Hagadone, William Hagadone, Kenneth Hart, Joseph Hironaka, Joseph R. Hironaka, Robert Houk, Neil Hummel, Paul Lofland, Katherine Berg, Matthew Markovic, Kevin Maher, Melvin Mook, Kevin Krieger, Thomas O'Neil, Richard Patten, Robert Penney, James SantaMaria, Michael Shellito, Robert Smith, William Smith, Keith Elzner, Larry Stoke, Steven Strable, Robert Verlezza, Duane Whitehead. These heroes join over 260,000 Veterans who have been honored through the Honor Flight Network of volunteers nationwide since 2005.

Mr. Speaker, President Harry S. Truman once stated, ``Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.'' As a Nation, we must never take for granted the liberties we enjoy today, recognizing that these freedoms have been hard-won by the honor, commitment, and sacrifice of our Veterans. Each Member in this chamber and every citizen in these United States should be humbled by the courage of the brave Veterans who voluntarily faced danger and adversity to preserve our country and way of life. Colleagues, please join me in thanking these Veterans and the volunteers of Honor Flight of Oregon for their remarkable service and devotion to our great country.

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