81R12749 MMS-D
By: Pitts H.R. No. 878
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas is home to seven hubs of Honor Flight Network,
which pays tribute in a most remarkable way to veterans who have
served in this nation's wars; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional program had its origins in 2004,
when Earl Morse, a physician assistant with the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, observed the conversations among his World War II
veteran patients regarding the new World War II Memorial in
Washington, D.C.; in the months after its dedication, Mr. Morse
came to realize how many veterans of that conflict wanted to see the
monument but would be unable to do so, for physical or financial
reasons; and
WHEREAS, A retired air force captain and a private pilot, Mr.
Morse approached his aero club with a proposal for volunteer pilots
to fly World War II veterans to Washington to see their memorial;
the response was so favorable that a board was soon formed and funds
raised; in May 2005, six planes flew 12 veterans to the nation's
capital, where they visited the memorial and were escorted on a tour
around the city; and
WHEREAS, That flight made a profound impression on both the
veterans who participated and on their pilots, and other trips were
soon arranged; by the end of the year, the program began using
commercial airliners to accommodate more veterans; word of the
project spread, and similar programs were instituted in various
parts of the country; in 2006, Honor Flight Network was organized in
Washington, D.C., at a meeting attended by more than 100 people;
today, HFN has 71 hubs in 30 states; and
WHEREAS, The Texas hubs of HFN are located in Amarillo,
Dallas, Ennis, Houston, Midland, San Antonio, and Waxahachie; like
all HFN groups, these hubs arrange for veterans to visit the World
War II Memorial and Washington, D.C., free of charge; countless
hours go into planning the trips, raising funds, and coordinating
logistics; and
WHEREAS, In the future, HFN plans to extend its service to
veterans of subsequent conflicts; already, terminally ill veterans
of any war are given priority on its flights; by the end of 2009, HFN
hubs collectively will have transported more than 42,000 World War
II and Korean and Vietnam War veterans to see the memorials erected
in their honor; and
WHEREAS, This country owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude
to the veterans of all of its wars, and the men and women of Honor
Flight Network are performing a deeply meaningful service in
recognition of their sacrifice; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend the Texas hubs of Honor Flight Network
for their exceptional efforts in behalf of this country's veterans
and extend to them sincere best wishes for continued success in
their endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
for the Texas hubs of Honor Flight Network as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.