Washington, D.C. —
Today, the South Dakota Congressional delegation will address nearly 120 World War II-era veterans from the greater Sioux Falls area at the United States Marine Corps Memorial who have traveled to DC with the Honor Flight Program. Originating in 2005 in Ohio, the Honor Flight program provides veterans a trip to Washington, D.C. to see monuments to their service.
"The World War II Memorial is much overdue and is a fixed reminder of the toil and sacrifice of our outstanding servicemen and women that fought so we might be able to enjoy peace and opportunity. I am honored to be able to welcome these South Dakotan veterans, members of the `Greatest Generation,' and so pleased that they are able to be in D.C. to see this monument which was built in their honor," said Johnson.
"It is an honor to welcome these American heroes to our nation's capital to see the symbols of the freedoms they have protected around the world," said Thune. "I am humbled by their sacrifice and appreciate the opportunity to meet with them and thank them for their service. There is a reason we refer to these patriots as the greatest generation, they brought peace to the world and defended the freedoms we all enjoy every day."
"It is a great honor to welcome the veterans participating in South Dakota's first Honor Flight who stood tall in the face of perhaps the greatest challenge any American generation has ever faced and ultimately made the world a safer and better place to live," Rep. Herseth Sandlin said. "Monuments, ceremonies, flags and simple words will never equal the sacrifices these veterans made, but I hope these symbols adequately represent the genuine gratitude of a grateful nation and state."
Nationally, the Honor Flight Network safely transported 11,137 veterans to D.C. in 2008. The goal for 2009 is 25,000 veterans. As of late March, the South Dakota Honor Flight program had received over 700 applications.
For more information about the South Dakota Honor Flight, including an application, interested individuals should visit www.honorflightsd.org or call 1-888-344-1945.
"The World War II Memorial is much overdue and is a fixed reminder of the toil and sacrifice of our outstanding servicemen and women that fought so we might be able to enjoy peace and opportunity. I am honored to be able to welcome these South Dakotan veterans, members of the `Greatest Generation,' and so pleased that they are able to be in D.C. to see this monument which was built in their honor," said Johnson.
"It is an honor to welcome these American heroes to our nation's capital to see the symbols of the freedoms they have protected around the world," said Thune. "I am humbled by their sacrifice and appreciate the opportunity to meet with them and thank them for their service. There is a reason we refer to these patriots as the greatest generation, they brought peace to the world and defended the freedoms we all enjoy every day."
"It is a great honor to welcome the veterans participating in South Dakota's first Honor Flight who stood tall in the face of perhaps the greatest challenge any American generation has ever faced and ultimately made the world a safer and better place to live," Rep. Herseth Sandlin said. "Monuments, ceremonies, flags and simple words will never equal the sacrifices these veterans made, but I hope these symbols adequately represent the genuine gratitude of a grateful nation and state."
Nationally, the Honor Flight Network safely transported 11,137 veterans to D.C. in 2008. The goal for 2009 is 25,000 veterans. As of late March, the South Dakota Honor Flight program had received over 700 applications.
For more information about the South Dakota Honor Flight, including an application, interested individuals should visit www.honorflightsd.org or call 1-888-344-1945.
