The foreboding images of American rifle squad walking through the grounds of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.
On March 26, 2015 Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado asked for and was granted permission to address the United States Senate regarding the recognition of honored guests in Congress:
“Mr. President, I rise today to honor the distinguished veterans of Honor Flight Northern Colorado who recently made their 13th trip to Washington, DC to visit the memorials that stand in our Nation’s Capital. This group includes veterans from multiple wars and different generations, linked together by their service to our Nation.
Founded in 2005, the Honor Flight Program was originally formed to honor veterans of World War II but has since expanded to include those who have served in all other American engagements. This program provides an opportunity for veterans to fly to Washington, DC free of cost, so they can visit the national memorials dedicated to their service. Of the 123 veterans who visited Washington, DC 22 served in World War II, 69 in Korea, and 32 in Vietnam.
Military service is an exceptional duty to country. When the United States has been threatened, our veterans have stepped up and answered our country’s call without reservation or fear.
Though these memorials honor our veterans’ service, no statue or monument can truly express the level of gratitude we feel for those who courageously risked their lives to preserve our inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today we honor those who fought to secure the blessings endowed by our Creator for future generations.
Please join me in honoring the following individuals: Leonard Bennett, Verne Berry, Donald Debus, Frank DeSeure, Earl Harper, Joe Hoberman, Boyd Johnson, Charles Johnson, Phyllis Iverson-Farver, Glenn Lawrence, William Loper, Thomas Mascarenas, Jack Miller, James Mitchell, Glenn Morrell, Robert Palmer, Margaret Rowlett, Waldemar Schielke, Eric Schoenhaar, Lyle Stearley, Perry Sullinger, James Wayne, Henry Amen, Donald Babcock. William Berg, JD Bernard, Norton Billings, James Boltz, Leslie Bridwell, John Brunner, Francis Carrigan, Arne Christensen, Kenneth Cook, Edna Coseo, Lowell Davis, George Dillan, Edward Doebbeling, James Doherty, Paul Duneman, Philip Edwards, Karl Ehmann, Frank Faiella, Robert Fiscus, William Franklin, Melvin Gerling, Douglas Gifford, Otis Gordley, Jr., John Hefton, Robert Heldt, Richard Hirn, William Hotes, Bert Jones, Jr., Robert Kearney, Wayne Kluck, Richard Krebs, Vito LaBarbara, Richard Larson, Donald LeFever, Richard Lewis, John Marks, William Marlatt, Dale Mason, Verle Miller, Howard Morgan, Norman Oling, Donald Packard, Burdett Parsons, Harold Potter, Rolland Reinick, Louis Richardson, Dudley Rider, Clyde Rink, Jr., Richard Ruggles, Richard Schilling, Raymond Schropfer, Wilbert Shimoda, Raymond Slauson, Charles Stevens, Jimmy Stickley, John Stitzel, Robert Stitzel, Thomas Stults, Eugene Stumpf, Dorral Threlkel, Jerry Turner, Ray Walker, Linus Wasinger, Ernest Wimmer, Delmar Wittier, Wallace Wolverton, Charles Wyant, Edward Andrews, Dennis Arnold, Berton Bessey, Ralph Bowling, Eugene Burmeister, Martin Carrera, Ronald Carrera, Thomas Claspell, Randy Colby, Kenneth Curry, Kenneth Eck, Timothy Feia, Sylvia Fiscus, Larry Giauque, Roger Hess, Warren Hindman, David Jones, Wallace Lavery, Michael Linder, William Lodge, Merle Luther, James Maxwell, Gaylen Miller, Martin Musick, Edward Obrecht, Jr. Daniel Scalise, Ronald Schaft, Gary Stricklin, John Stricklin, Robert Van Driel, David Webb, John Zochol.