Recognizing Honor Flight of Southern 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 Capitol Plaza through the efforts of Honor Flight of Oregon. When I have the opportunity to meet these heroes, I am reminded of the enduring words of President Ronald Reagan, ``Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.'' 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: Kenneth Amburn, Jack Crockett, Jack Fitzgerald, Ronald Greene, Michael Grover, Roger Heegard, Ronald Hemphill, Gary Hoffman, Freddy Humble, Kevin Johnson, Wayne Kleckner, Richard Little Jr., Kenneth Marvin, Terry Moore, Gerald Newcomb, Terry Peariso, Ray Rose, David Schwab, Colben Keith Sime Jr., Jack war''Smith, Robert Stangier, Gregory Storey, Dale Vincent, Richard Vowell, William Wilde, Curtis Williams, David Young, Steven Eggert, Nathan Greene, Shasta Little, Kevin Pierson, Roy Starbeck, and Israel Wallace, Tyr Symank, Robert Symank. These heroes join over 260,000 Veterans who have been honored through the Honor Flight Network of volunteers nationwide since 2005.

Mr. Speaker, General Douglas MacArthur once said, ``The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.'' 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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