Forty Panhandle veterans traveled to the capital this week to visit the memorials and other sites that commemorate their service and sacrifice.  Today, the group joined Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) for a special tour of the U.S. Capitol where he had the opportunity to speak to them on the Floor of the House.

“Giving these veterans a tour of the Capitol is one of the highlights of my year,” says Rep. Thornberry.  “To sit in a room with men and women who bravely put their lives on the line to protect our freedom and form of government is both humbling and inspiring.  Each of them has shaped our history, defended our values, and each of them has a story worth hearing.”

The Texas Panhandle Honor Flight is organized and sponsored by the local chapter of America Supports You Texas (ASYT), which is headquartered in Amarillo.  The Honor Flights are part of ASYT’s efforts to promote awareness and support for our U.S. military service members and veterans, as well as their families.  The group also organizes care boxes for active duty personnel, sponsors an annual Armed Forces Day banquet, and organizes welcome home and return to duty rallies.

Among the Panhandle veterans on this trip, six served in World War II, eighteen served in Korea, and nine served in Vietnam. 

“I never dreamed I’d get to come to Washington and see what I’m getting to see,” says World War II Veteran Benjamin “Smitty” Smith from Tulia.
 
“Organizations like America Supports You Texas help remind us that our country remains strong because of what these veterans sacrificed.  Groups like this play an important role in ensuring our veterans receive our deepest gratitude and thanks,” Thornberry says.  

Honor Flight is a national program that began a decade ago as a project to offer World War II veterans all-expenses-paid overnight trips to Washington, D.C., to see the National World War II Memorial.  Today, these flights honor America’s veterans by paying for and transporting groups of veterans from all over the country to see the memorials designed and erected to honor their service.
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