Provo Veteran’s Center close to being renamed for Utah Candy Bomber
Dec 22, 2021, 3:43 PM
Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, also known as the "Berlin Candy Bomber," celebrated his 100th birthday Saturday with a safe and socially distanced vehicle parade. (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution)
(National Society Daughters of the American Revolution)
SALT LAKE CITY – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to rename Provo’s Veteran center in honor of Utah’s famous ‘Candy Bomber’.
The bill would rename it the ‘Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen Veteran Center’.
Halvorsen earned the nickname the ‘Candy Bomber’ during the 1948 Berlin Airlift after he dropped candy to children as the U.S. and ally planes delivered food and supplies to the starving people of Berlin.
Sen. Mike Lee sponsored the bill which is co-sponsored by the entire Utah Congressional delegation.
“There are few Americans who inspire the spirit of humanitarian and community service quite like Colonel Gail, Halverson,” Lee said. “Colonel Halverson represents the best of Utah and the best values of the US Armed Forces.”
The Senate has unanimously passed my bill to honor Utah's Col. Gail Halvorsen, the "Candy Bomber." pic.twitter.com/mY1toXPdOo
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 18, 2021
Politicians, leaders, and celebrities honored Halverson over the years including President Clinton, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and Harrison Ford.
During a time of historic suffering, Halverson responded with kindness and caring, said Lee. “It’s only fitting that his center designed to care for and support our nation’s veterans bears the name of the Candy Bomber.”
Halvorsen was born Salt Lake in 1920. He celebrated his one-hundredth birthday last year.
He contracted COVID-19 last year recovered.
