By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Wiss,
Navy Public Affairs Support Element East, Detachment Southeast
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (NNS) -- Hundreds of guests honored
World War II veterans at the 17th Annual Commemoration of the U.S. victory at
Midway Memorial Dinner held June 7, at the World Golf Village Renaissance
Resort in St. Augustine, Fla.
The event, sponsored by the U.S. Navy League, was intended
to pay homage to veterans who fought so valiantly at the Battle of Midway. The
Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the
Pacific in World War II. Approximately one month after the Battle of Coral Sea
and six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy decisively
defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy and turned the war in U.S. favor. According
to Navy league member Bill Howard, these great veterans are responsible for the
freedom we enjoy today.
"We need to recognize that freedom is not free,"
Howard said. "It takes a lot of good people, such as the veterans we are
honoring tonight, to provide the freedom we enjoy today."
The guest speaker for the annual event was Deputy Chief of
Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy Vice Adm. Michelle J.
Howard. She is the first African-American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship,
USS Rushmore (LSD 47). According to Howard, it was a great honor to recognize
those who truly represent the Navy core values of honor, courage and
commitment.
"We are in the presence of the defenders of American
freedom, democracy and the American way of life," she said during her
speech. "We cannot not be offered a more precious opportunity to express
to the Midway veterans, what their contributions mean to us."
Other highlights of the event was a special full service
color guard presentation by members of all six services including the Merchant
Marine and a moving six person POW/MIA table by those same service members.
According to Howard, this was a night to remember the sacrifices these veterans
made for us 72 years ago.
"To be able to honor these battle of Midway veterans is
a privilege," she said. "The biggest part of this event is being able
to talk to the veterans and say thank you for their service."
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