WASHINGTON – Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) today welcomed a delegation of 34 central Alabama veterans who visited the National World War II Memorial in Washington as part of the inaugural Birmingham Honor Flight.
Former Senator Robert Dole, a decorated World War II hero who led the successful campaign to build the Memorial, met with the group at the invitation of Congressman Bachus.
Honor Flight is a volunteer organization that arranges one-day trips for World War II veterans to and from the Memorial free of charge. The Alabama group included Sixth District veterans from Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Tuscaloosa counties.
Bachus spoke to the veterans group in front of the Alabama column at the Memorial.
Bachus said, "The National World War Two Memorial is our tribute to you, the brave soldiers who preserved freedom during democracy’s darkest hour. Generations to come will call to mind your service and sacrifice with great reverence. You are called the ‘Greatest Generation’ not just for what you did during the war, but for the way you built our country after the war. Honor Flight has done a great thing by bringing our veterans to Washington to see this magnificent memorial, meet with their fellow veterans, and remind all of us that we enjoy freedom today because of sacrifices made more than six decades ago."
The veterans on the Birmingham Honor Flight were accompanied by 19 area volunteers and also assisted by Cindy Pate from Congressman Bachus’ Birmingham District Office. The trip was the first of several to the Memorial planned by the all-volunteer organization co-chaired locally by Pam Nichols and Amy McDonald of Shelby County.
(Editors: The names of the veterans on the Birmingham Honor Flight follow.)
Ken Leroy Faulkner, Shelby County
Sterling Brewer, Hoover, Jefferson County
Charlie Burton, Maylene, Shelby County
Joseph (Joe) Annino, Hoover, Jefferson County
Peter Anella, Sr., Shelby County
Harold Jarvis, Mount Olive, Jefferson County
Elwell Thomas, Centerpoint, Jefferson County
Thomas White, Springville, Jefferson County
Forrest Bruner, Centerpoint, Jefferson County
Cecil Norris, Hueytown, Jefferson County
Chester L. Whited, Vestavia Hills
Eugene McCarthy, Cullman, Cullman County
John Key, Crestwood, Jefferson County
Joseph Darnell, Birmingham, Jefferson County
Richard Higgins, Cook Springs, St. Clair County
Cecil Wooten, Bessemer, Jefferson County, Jefferson County
Marvin "Joe" Wolverton, Highland Park, Jefferson County
John Stanfield, Highland Park, Jefferson County
Leon Hamrick, Mountain Brook, Jefferson County
Frank Selman, Southside, Jefferson County
William Wise, Eutaw, Greene County
Johnnie D. Hutchins, Cottondale, Tuscaloosa County
John Lossie, Bessemer, Jefferson County
Floy Spencer, Bessemer, Jefferson County
John Godwin, Cropwell, St. Clair County
Claude Brooks, Vestavia Hills, Jefferson County
Emmett Barber, Pell City, St. Clair County
William Early, Ensley, Jefferson County
Charles R. Reynolds, Hueytown, Jefferson County
Calvin C.Tanner, Shelby County
Edward W. Newman, Midfield, Jefferson County
Samuel Patton, Highland Park, Jefferson County
Betram Ferrell, Vestavia Hills, Jefferson County
Dewey Powell, Moody, St. Clair County
The following veterans passed away prior to the Honor Flight trip: John Flemming (Jefferson County), John Hines (St. Clair County), and Clyde Letcher (St. Clair County).