Commentary: Today, U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce, returned to North America and is a mere day away from completing a flight around the world. Although not planned, it is fitting the conclusion comes just on the heels of Memorial Day – a day when we honor those that sacrificed everything for our freedom.
Pearce began this solo expedition on March 27th – after Congress left for Easter recess. He departed from Nevada in a small single engine aircraft, no bigger than the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Pearce’s route stretched across the Pacific and through the Coral and Java Seas. He then flew through the Persian Gulf and into the Mediterranean.
Strong headwinds and the resuming legislative session required the Congressman to pause the trip and return to Washington. On May 30th, after completing a weekend of work in the district honoring the memories of our nation’s bravest during Memorial Day, the Congressman returned to Europe and resumed the remainder of his flight.
He dedicated this mission to our veterans – to honor their courage but also remember their sacrifice. Along the way, the Congressman left war memorials made by the Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico. Created in the shape of a bear, they symbolize strength, courage, and human healing. Like his flight – these memorials honor the power of the human spirit to persevere no matter the obstacle.
“Given the challenges of flying in my life – the challenges of overcoming fear – the desire to now completely fly around the globe – I decided to take my trip and dedicate it to the memory. The flight is the physical aspect of it. The mission was remembering. Every time I faced an obstacle, I said, this is in memory,” Congressman Pearce.
Background - In 1969, during the Vietnam War, Pearce was drafted and decided to enroll in an Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program. Pearce logged 518 hours of combat flight and 77 hours of combat support during the Vietnam War. After he was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force with the rank of Captain, he became a professional pilot.