Fellow #Virginians, For years, I have joined dozens of volunteers to welcome WWII veterans when they arrive at Dulles Airport, as they prepare for their (likely) first and last visit to the WWII Memorial erected in their honor. We do not know them. They are not from here, but arrive from all over the country. These men and women are often accompanied by their family, their children, and in one occasion, their great-grandchild. But we do not know them – and they did not know we were going to be greeting them upon their arrival. Their transportation to D.C. is sponsored by Honor Flight, an organization that flies veterans to our nation’s capital so they can be honored for their service and sacrifice. Most, if not all of the Honor Flight operation is voluntary, and whatever money is used to transport these heroes, is raised from private donations. From my understanding, the aircrew (the pilots and flight attendants) also volunteer their time to make this happen. Even EMT and other professional medical personnel accompany many of the flights, again, at little or no cost. After arriving at Dulles and while taxing to their private arrival gate, the Dulles fire and rescue give the plane an honor salute by stationing fire trucks along the route and giving a water salute through high pressure hoses. Then comes our turn. As we await the arrival, we have decorated the terminal red, white and blue. There are flags everywhere. Welcome to D.C. signs, hand written “thank you” signs, and patriotic music fills every corner of the terminal. Alongside of our volunteers, airport courtesy wheel chair staff show up to take many of the passengers from the plane to the bus. (They too donate their time and do not accept tips for this service!) As the plane arrives, we stand at attention as the National Anthem plays. We are in high spirits when the first WWII veteran emerges from the jet way tunnel into the terminal. With music playing, flags waiving, and hands clapping, we form a receiving line to personally welcome each Veteran. My eyes are welling up as I remember many of these heroes as they respond to our presence there. Both the volunteers and Veterans who we honor are struck with emotion. The volunteers are overcome by this opportunity to thank and honor men and women who fought and bled for our freedoms and our way of life. The Veterans are tearful for the outpouring of praise. This experience is so meaningful to me, that I subsequently brought my children with me so they would learn the importance of honoring our heroes. Understandably they asked me, “Dad, do you know any of them?” “No.” “If you don’t know them, then why are we here?” That is certainly a fair question. “Because I know what they have done for me and our country. That is why we are here.” While our government may be at an important crossroads, using WWII Veterans as pawns in the process is shameful and disgusting. Democracy allows for the showcasing of differing opinions; however, President Obama and Democratic Senator Mark Warner showed no respect for the men and women who bled and died to preserve our way of life by staging the forced public closing of the WWII memorial. During this government shutdown, funding for active duty military has been restored, but Mark Warner and his Democratic allies in the U.S. Senate are withholding the unanimously passed House bill (yes, all Republicans and all Democrats voted yes) funding for our Veterans. From shutting down the WWII monument to disregarding our military, both of you shame our country and those you supposedly represent. Join me by signing this petition asking Obama and leaders in the U.S. Senate to support legislation that will immediately and fully fund all Veteran Affairs services and facilities, and to restore and maintain the operation of any federal memorial to Veterans and fallen soldiers, including the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Memorials and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Respectfully, Shak Hill Candidate, U.S. Senate “I’ve worked with and known Shak for almost 20 years. One thing I’ve admired is his common sense. When others were mired in meaningless details, Shak saw clear paths to solutions. I’m sure his service in the Senate will be no different. Do no harm, spend less than the government takes in, and treat everyone with respect. These are common sense rules to live by at home, in our communities, and in our Senate.” -Pete Block (Prince William County) - See more at: shakhill/2013/10/shak-hill-calls-on-senator-warner-to-fund-all-veterans-memorials/#sthash.xjPRjbGI.dpuf
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 19:44:19 +0000