A bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee to rename Provo’s Veterans Center after Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, also known as “The Candy Bomber,” was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate. (John Hollenhorst, KSL)
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SALT LAKE CITY – A bill to rename the Provo Veterans Center to honor Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, who many affectionately know as the “Candy Bomber,” has unanimously passed the Senate.
The bill, sponsored by Utah Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney, calls for the center’s name to be changed to the Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen Veteran Center. It was approved by the Senate on Saturday and is now headed to the House of Representatives for a vote.
Halvorsen, who lives in Utah, earned the title of “Candy Bomber” for dropping candy from his aircraft to impoverished children in Berlin while serving as a pilot during the 1948 Berlin Airlift. Halvorsen has continued to serve others throughout his life with his Halvorsen Aviation Education Foundation.
Lee issued a statement on Wednesday praising Halvorsen for his service.
“Halvorsen represents the best of Utah and the best of the US Armed Forces,” Lee said. “During a time of historic suffering Halvorsen responded with kindness and caring. It’s only fitting that his center designed to care for and support our nation’s veterans bears the name of the Candy Bomber.”
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