Honor Flight of Southern Oregon

Floor Speech

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Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Veterans from Oregon's Second Congressional District who, through the efforts of Honor Flight of Oregon, are visiting their memorials on the National Mall. When I meet these heroes, I am reminded of the enduring words of Abraham Lincoln, who said, ``Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause--honor to him, only less than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle.'' These words, Mr. Speaker, still ring true today. Those who value liberty are indebted to these heroes, for each one of them defended our freedom through acts of service, sacrifice, and bravery all on behalf of our country. It is my privilege to include in the Record their names.

The Veterans on this Honor Flight from Oregon are: Carlo Pelaccio, Navy; Richard Azhocar, Air Force; Arden Baker, Air Force; Charles Bamber, Navy; William Barry, Army; Stephen Bonebrake, Navy; Robert Bruton, Army; Brian Busch, Marine Corps/Army; Robert Crum, Navy; Larry Dickson, Army; George Eisenhauer, Army; Frank Escalante, Army; Carl Hanhart, Navy; Theodore Henderson, Army; Edward Hill, Marine Corps; James Jackson, Army; Robert Keller, Navy; Robert Kohlhoff, Navy; Jack Lillard, Army; Gary Lowe, Navy; Walter McPherson, Marine Corps; Robert Miller, Army; Michael Myers, Marine Corps; Riley Terrance, Army; David Roberts, Marine Corps; Douglas Schruth, Army; Kelly Toller, Marine Corps. These heroes join over 240,000 Veterans, who since 2005, have been honored through the nationwide Honor Flight Network of volunteers. I would also like to recognize the volunteers and guardians traveling on this trip who have also served our country: Paul Mills, Army; Robert Crum, Army; Douglas Hanhart, Navy; Michael Whitfield, Army; Robert Allen, Army; James Scroggins, Marine Corps; Earl Snellings, Navy.

Mr. Speaker, in his 1983 radio address to the Nation, Ronald Reagan said, ``Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, for they've suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us.'' 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 citizen in these United States should be humbled by the courage of the brave Veterans who voluntarily underwent the dangers necessary to preserve our country. 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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