Bilirakis Celebrates Victory For Vets, Lauds Triumph Of Common Sense

Press Release

On March 31, 2022 Congressman Gus Bilirakis was contacted by a local WFLA reporter alerting him of concerns that the National Parks Service (NPS) had discontinued escorts for the U.S. Honor Flight program in Washington, DC. The Honor Flight Program is a wonderful initiative to honor our nation's heroes. Congressman Bilirakis has had the privilege of meeting many honor flight groups during their visit to the nation's Capital and each time has found it to be a very moving and memorable experience. The planning, organization and careful attention to detail ensures that everything runs smoothly. A key component of achieving that goal is the vehicular escort provided by the United States Park Police (USPP) to ensure all Veterans, including those with disabilities, are able to see all of the memorials during their allotted time in DC. Veterans throughout the Tampa Bay area were upset by the news that escorts were being canceled, and Congressman Bilirakis vowed to take immediate action.

"This is a prime example of bureaucracy standing in the way of doing what is right- these Veterans deserve the highest respect from our nation. This is wrong and it needs to remedied immediately! It is the least we can do for these heroes," said Bilirakis.

Upon learning of this new policy, Bilirakis set a meeting with NPS Director Chuck Sams and senior Department of Interior officials. Congressman Bilirakis made it clear that removing the escort for the Honor Flight is simply unacceptable and that he had secured bipartisan/bicameral support for a legislative fix if the issue wasn't immediately addressed by the agency. Director Sams and his team assured the Congressman that they would actively work on the situation.

Earlier today, NPS and the Honor Flight Network announced today the resumption of NPS and USPP support of Honor Flight visits to begin again on June 1, 2022.

"For many of these Veterans, the Honor Flight is a once in a lifetime experience--their first and only opportunity to visit DC and to spend time at the beautiful memorials that have been built to recognize their service and sacrifice- and to remember those who served alongside them who did not make it home. I am grateful that the swift action taken by myself and my colleagues ensured that the escort service will be reinstated so our Veterans get the full experience they deserve," Bilirakis added.

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