Huizenga, Michigan Colleagues Welcome West Michigan WWII Vets To "Closed" WWII Memorial In Washington D.C.

Press Release

Today, Second District World War II Veterans Blanch Mason, Ken Beelen and Tony Bouman were welcomed to the WW II Memorial in Washington D.C. by Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01), Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) and Congressman Kerry Bentivolio (MI-11) as part of an "Honor Flight" arriving from Chicago.

* Ken Beelen of Holland (on the left in the picture above) served from 1943-1945 as a part of a U.S. Army amphibious unit in the Pacific Theatre

* Blanch Mason of Whitehall (center in the picture above) served from 1943-1946 in the U.S. Coast Guard

* Tony Bouman of Holland (on the right in the picture above) served from 1944 until after the war in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Congressman Huizenga, Dr. Dan Benishek, and Congressman Tim Walberg issued the following statements following today's emotional event:

Congressman Huizenga: "It was both an honor and a privilege to help World War II Veterans from West Michigan gain entry to the memorial built to commemorate their courage and sacrifice. 'Open-air' monuments were not closed down during the last government shutdown which is why it is extremely concerning that the National Park Service has acted in a seemingly political manner to close these national treasures. I am hopeful Director Jarvis will exhibit some common sense and remove the rented barricades so veterans, their families and the American people can enjoy these 'open-air' monuments unobstructed."

Congressman Benishek: "It was an honor to join many of my colleagues in meeting with World War II veterans at the national memorial today. Regrettably, because the Senate and President Obama refuse to negotiate on a spending agreement, the memorial has been closed to the very veterans it honors. Our vets deserve better. This is exactly why the Senate and White House need to come to the negotiating table and hash out a compromise to reopen the government and get Washington working again," said Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01).

Congressman Walberg: "Meeting with the veterans today was a humbling reminder of the great service and sacrifices these men and women have made that make our freedoms possible. I felt privileged to assist in opening this memorial from an unnecessary shutdown produced by politics. These veterans and the American people deserve better."

Yesterday, Congressman Huizenga sent a letter to the National Park Service Director requesting he lift the self-imposed shut down of "open-air" memorials.

Read full letter in PDF format below:
http://huizenga.house.gov/uploadedfiles/huizenga_nps_memorial_letter_10.1.2013.pdf

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