WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) proudly welcomed 25 veterans from West Virginia to the nation’s capital for the eighth “Always Free Honor Flight,” which included visiting Arlington Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial.
“I was honored to welcome West Virginia veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington today,” Senator Capito said. “Without the sacrifices made by these brave men and women, we would not enjoy the many freedoms we cherish today. As the daughter of a World War II veteran, I always treasure the opportunity to personally thank America’s heroes for their selfless service to our nation.”
“It is an honor to welcome 25 courageous West Virginia Veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials made in their honor,” Senator Manchin said. “We could not enjoy the freedom and liberty we do today without the commitment and sacrifice of the Veterans who have served and sacrificed throughout history. West Virginia is one of the most patriotic states and these West Virginia Veterans truly embody the Mountain State’s history and contributions to safeguard America’s freedom. This special honor flight is just one way for us to honor and share our deepest gratitude for their service as they tour the Capitol and the monuments and memorials built in their honor.”
Of the Honor Flight veterans attending, two served in World War II, one served in the Korean War, two served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, 18 served in the Vietnam War and two veterans served stateside. They were accompanied by five JROTC Cadets volunteering as guardians from southern West Virginia high schools, President of the Denver Foundation and Little Buddy Radio Dreama Denver, “Always Free Honor Flight” organizer Pam Coulbourne, Vice President of “Always Free Honor Flight” and JROTC instructor Sgt. Paul Dorsey, Board Member and Official Photographer of the Always Free Honor Flight and the Denver Foundation Steve Coleman, in addition to veterans’ family members and medics.
The Honor Flight Network is a nationwide effort that raises funds to ensure veterans have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., free of cost to see the monuments that were built in their honor. In West Virginia, the “Always Free Honor Flight Network” was established thanks to the Denver Foundation and Little Buddy Radio, located in Princeton, West Virginia. These non-profit organizations were founded by Bob Denver – who played Gilligan on “Gilligan’s Island” – and his wife Dreama, a West Virginia native.
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