Tribute to Texas Permian Basin Honor Flight

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 85 Veterans from West Texas who will be visiting our Washington DC this week, sponsored by the Permian Basin Honor Flight. On behalf of a grateful state and nation, we welcome these heroes to the nation's capital.

The Veterans on this Honor Flight are: Daniel L. Acosta, United States Marine Corps (ret.); Daniel G. Acosta, United States Navy; Clinton H. Adams, United States Navy; Philip H. Altman, United States Coast Guard; Mike A. Barker, United States Army; Jack R. Barnes, United States Navy (ret.); Billy E. Barnhill, United States Navy; Emil F. Beck, United States Army; Harvey L. Benad, United States Marine Corps; Kendall L. Benad, United States Marine Corps; William B. Bowlin, United States Army Air Corps; John Brenner, United States Navy; Donald W. Byrne, United States Air Force (ret.); Miguel B. Calderon, United States Army; Herbert L. Cartwright, United States Army; Nat E. Clardy, United States Marine Corps; James S. Cosper, United States Navy; John E. Crosby, Jr., United States Army Air Corps; Stanley W. Cuba, United States Navy; Robert E. Davis, United States Navy.

Roy F. Draper, United States Army; Tharen H. Elcher, United States Army Air Corps; Michael L. Elcher, United States Air Force; Claude C. Firth, United States Navy; Thomas O. Flournoy, United States Army; Daniel R. Frizzell, United States Navy; Joyce O. Funderburk, United States Army Air Corps; Richard W. Galloway, United States Army; Willard B. Gaston, United States Navy; Francisco A. Gonzales, United States Army; Alfred Guardino, United States Air Force (ret.); Manuel Herrera, United States Army; Trisha K. Hildreth, United States Air Force; Walter P. Hildreth, Jr., United States Army Air Corps; Lawrence E. Hill, United States Army; Theodore W. Hogan, United States Army Air Corps; Thomas C. Hogan, Jr., United States Army; Bobbie J. Jackson, United States Army; Joseph E. Johnson, United States Army.
Clay M. Keaton, United States Marine Corps; James M. Kelley, United States Army Air Corps; Tom B. Lewis, United States Army; D.H. Livingston, United States Navy; Russell A. Livingston, United States Navy; Grady D. Lobley, United States Army Air Corps; Malcolm R. Manns, United States Navy; Leonard C. Martinez, United States Army; Raymond G. Martinez, Jr., United States Army; Forest H. Mathews, United States Army Air Corps; John E. May, United States Army (ret.); Joe W. Meek, United States Navy (ret.); Max O. Meek, United States Navy; Michael V. Meek, United States Navy; Tommy S. Mills, United States Army; Travis J. Mills, United States Air Force; Jerry B. Morgan, United States Army; Ricky W. Odom, United States Air Force; Cecil R. Odom, United States Navy; John D. Oliver, United States Navy.

Douglas R. Peacock, United States Army Air Corps; Leroy W. Pelzel, United States Army; Walter L. Pierce, United States Army Air Corps; Robert R. Pryor, United States Army; David E. Reed, United States Army; Michael E. Rejon, United States Air Force; Joe R. Rickey, United States Air Force (ret.); Curtis C. Rister, United States Air Force; Johnny W. Rister, United States Air Force; Rogelio Robles, United States Army; Heriberto Rubio, United States Army Air Corps; Jonathan H. Ruiz, United States Army; Commodore C. Ryan, United States Navy; Darrell E. Sanders, United States Army; Walter F. Schluter, United States Air Force; James E. Sever, United States Army; Dennis W. Sever, United States Army; Wendell Short, United States Air Force; Vincent T. Sternjacob, United States Army; Steven C. Stone, United States Army.
John P. Stroup, United States Air Force (ret.); Fred J. Stubbs, United States Army; Jack Tarter, United States Air Force; Marion L. Thompson, United States Army; Gilberto R. Torres, United States Army; Herbert O. Walker, United States Army; Joe B. White, United States Navy; Louis C. White, United States Marine Corps; Jobert Williams, United States Marine Corps.

Mr. Speaker, I am humbled to have the opportunity to meet these brave men and women who exemplify the best of our country. Their sacrifice and commitment to duty to our nation can never be fully repaid, and I hope that when they visit our nation's monuments in Washington DC, the gratitude and respect we have for them will truly be reflected.

Colleagues, please join me in thanking these in thanking these veterans and their families for their exemplary dedication and service to this great nation. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the local communities, all of the volunteers, and Mr. Jack Barnes for their extensive work in organizing this Honor Flight. This trip would not have been possible without all the financial and emotional support of the people who have put in so much hard work and personal time to make sure this trip could be possible.

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