Political Quotes

“I want to thank Ranking Member Buyer for yielding, and then also I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Filner, and Ranking Member Buyer for allowing us to bring this resolution forward. Madam Speaker, I was proud to introduce House Resolution 1228, honoring the veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three and their families to recognize the veterans' sacrifices and service to America during the Vietnam War. Despite the controversy surrounding the Vietnam War, most of the officers and enlisted men who served in the HAL-3 were volunteers. Most of the pilots were fresh out of flight training in Pensacola and most of the junior enlisted were recent graduates of Navy boot camp and technical training schools. Their leaders were also new to combat, coming mostly from shipped-based helicopter squadrons normally assigned to track submarines and haul supplies. HAL-3 fought from 1967 to 1972. In that time, they earned the respect of Army and Navy units throughout the Mekong Delta for their courage under fire and their dedication to supporting their comrades on the ground and in small boats patrolling the canals and rivers. They supported Army troop insertions and extractions. Navy SEALs counted on their support in tight situations. Wounded sailors and soldiers benefited from battlefield medivacs. In short, the Seawolves mastered every form of combat helicopter operations.…”