Sen. Cornyn Calls On Congress And President Obama To Open War Memorials and Monuments

Press Release

World War II and other veterans visiting Washington this week as a part of the Honor Flight Network have been told their war memorials will be closed during their visit due to the federal government shutdown. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today issued the following statement calling on Congress and President Obama to pass an appropriations bill opening up war memorials and monuments.

"This week, a group of our nation's finest, World War II veterans who risked everything so that we might have a better life, will be making their way to Washington for the trip of a lifetime--an all-expenses-paid "Honor Flight' to see their war memorials for the first time. But in an unacceptable turn of events, they've been told by the National Park Service that these memorials will be barricaded due to the federal government shutdown.

"Never should men of this caliber receive this kind of treatment in our nation's capital.
"As this group of heroes makes their way to Washington, I call on President Obama and Congress to pass an appropriations bill opening these memorials and monuments. The Greatest Generation deserves our respect and hospitality."

According to the Honor Flight Network, 3,560 veterans are scheduled to visit Washington on Honor Flight trips during the month of October. Five of these flights will bring veterans from Texas, including 41 World War II veterans, age 84 to 96, from the Dallas-Fort Worth region this week.

"It is beyond belief that these deserving men and women have waited decades to see their memorials and were selected for this trip of a lifetime, to discover they may not be able to see their memorial," said James McLaughlin, Chairman of the Honor Flight Network.

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