Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Major John ``Lucky'' Luckadoo, an extraordinary American hero who displayed remarkable bravery in World War II. Now 102 years old, Major Luckadoo is one of the last remaining members of the distinguished 100th Bomb Group, famously known as the Bloody Hundredth. Major Luckadoo grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He joined the Army following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. After training, he served with the Eighth Air Force's 100th Bomb Group based in Thorpe Abbotts, England. Of the 40 men from his training class who served in the 100th, only four completed their tour, highlighting the dangerous nature of their mission and Major Luckadoo's extraordinary fortune and resilience. Major Luckadoo undertook 25 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe, serving as both a pilot and copilot in the B-17 Flying Fortress, showcasing his outstanding bravery and expertise under highly challenging conditions and overwhelming odds. Lieutenant Colonel John Bennett, leader of the 100th Bomb Group, aptly remarked: ``What the 100th lacks in luck, it makes up for in courage.'' Major Luckadoo embodied this spirit, and his extraordinary story of survival is chronicled in his biography, ``Damn Lucky.'' Major Luckadoo's survival and the subsequent telling of his story contribute significantly to the historical record of World War II and stand as a testament to the bravery and sacrifices of the Greatest Generation.…”