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WASHINGTON, D.C. — A visit by 75 World War II veterans from Illinois highlighted the 2012 Veterans Day ceremony at the National World War II Memorial.

The veterans were brought to the nation's capital through the Central Illinois Honor Flight, one of many such programs nationwide that have brought a total of over 100,000 World War II vets to see their memorial. A highlight of Sunday's program was the presentation of certificates of appreciation to two of the founders of the Honor Flights, Earl Morse and Jeff Miller.

The keynote speaker was Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who in 1987 introduced legislation authorizing the World War II Memorial. She spoke about Roger Durbin, a letter carrier from Durbin, Ohio, who met Kaptur at a fish fry and asked why there was no memorial to World War II veterans.

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