REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama -- High-ranking military leaders, representing all branches of the armed services, shared their appreciation Aug. 10 for more than 450 World War II veterans and their families attending the 70th Anniversary Victory Day Commemoration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's Davidson Center.
"If this celebration today doesn't make you proud to be an American you need to go take a look in a mirror," said keynote speaker Lt. Gen. David L. Mann, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, and the senior leader representing the Army and Redstone Arsenal. "It is a distinct honor to be here to represent Team Redstone."
Mann paid tribute to the spirit and dedication of the men and women from World War II.
"On behalf of me and my family, thank you for our freedom and liberty because of your service and your sacrifices," Mann said. "Thank you for the example you set for those who wear our nation's uniform today and for years to come."
Mann said during a war in which no nation in the world was unscathed or unaffected, that it's important to remember those who perished in uniform, civilians here at home, or abroad.
"There were 16 million Soldiers who served in WWII," Mann said. "More than 11 million or 70 percent of them were in the Army … more than 4 million were part of frontline combat and sustained 80 percent of the deaths."
Mann also praised the airmen who were crucial to the victory.
"This was a time when our whole country pulled together," Mann said. "It was a total war effort."
Set to the backdrop of 1940's era music, dancing, American flags, period dress and current military uniforms, the celebration lasted from 10 a.m. until about 2 p.m.
Cloyce T. Drake, 91, of Falkville, was a buck sergeant with the 320th Infantry who was awarded a Bronze Star.
"We went in a month after D-Day and helped take St. Lo," said Drake, who wore his original uniform to the celebration. Only the boots were new. "I wore this on the streets of Paris."
Drake also still carries a Prayer Card Soldiers received from Gen. George S. Patton during the Battle of the Bulge.
"I remember all that snow, we slept on the ground in four feet of snow," Drake said.
The music -- whether from the Ladies for Liberty performing hits by The Andrews Sisters, or patriotic songs by the 389th Army Band with the 100 Voice Patriotic Choir -- had feet tapping or dancing to the beat or voices proudly singing along.
"I get into it when I do that song," said Brooks Moore when someone nearby complimented his singing of America the Beautiful. He was in training in the U.S. Navy for the U.S.S. Leyte when the war ended.
The U.S. Navy Laboratory in Panama City, Florida, is where his career began that led him to join Wernher Von Braun's guided missile development team in Huntsville.
"This is really my claim to fame," he said pointing up at the Saturn V prototype rocket suspended from the ceiling of the Davidson Center. Moore was director of Marshall Space Flight Center's astrionics laboratory, where he directed the design of the guidance, control, and computer systems for the Saturn V manned lunar landing launch vehicle.
"Fortunately, I was never in battle during the war," Moore said. "But I continued in the reserves."
There were also World War II stories, which have made a direct impact on some of today's military leaders.
Honorable Heidi Shyu, assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition Logistics and Technology, showed a gold watch given to her by grandfather on her 21st birthday. "I treasure it each and every day."
Her grandfather was in the first graduating class of the Chinese Air Force, she said.
"He fought bravely in combat," Shyu said. "He was awarded the gold watch, which is comparable to the U.S. military's Medal of Honor. He was one of 12 recipients, and half of those were killed in combat.
Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander, U.S. Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces Northern Command, said his father was a young Navy officer in WWII, his mother was with the British Navy.
"If they had not met … I would not be here today," Mills said.
Mann described the WWII Veterans and their families as national treasures.
"This event today is important to have so you know we have not forgotten your sacrifices, it gives us a chance to say thank you and God bless you and your family," Mann said.
The event ended with a WWII Veteran processional expressing an "Outpouring of Thanks from a Grateful Nation," followed by an Aerial Salute, by F-16 "Red Tails" from the 100th Fighter Squadron of the Alabama Air National Guard.
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