Four hundred veterans from every conflict dating to World War II attended a luncheon at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth Friday. This was the second "Roll Call" luncheon at the base.
"This flag that hangs right here is a product of your service to this nation," Commanding Officer Mark McLean told the group.
NAS JRB hosted a roll call luncheon last year, and McLean said he would like to make the luncheon an annual event. Smaller events have also been held at other locations nearby. McLean said the events can give veterans a chance to connect. He said the celebration with veterans can also help the 10,000 active duty members of the armed forces at the base understand the importance of their service.
"Every generation has had a conflict," he said. "Every generation going forward, more than likely, will face an adversary."
Among those attending were veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the first Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea and World War II.
"It's just a great place to meet other veterans, share your stories and visit with each other," one Vietnam veteran said.
Another Vietnam veteran said some of the same issues they fought against are becoming problems in global politics now.
"They thought we were wrong, we shouldn't have been over there and so forth, but we had to stop the Communists," he said. "Their plan is to take over the world. They're evil people."
A veteran of the first Gulf War said he hopes learning about what service members have done can show people who might protest or kneel down during the national anthem that others have fought to protect those rights.
"If I had it to do all over again, I would do it all over again just to enjoy the freedom I get to enjoy as an American," he said.
Bill Parker, 99, talked about his service in World War II. He earned the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
"I'm so glad to see these Americans here," he said. "If we hadn't fought that war, you wouldn't be here now."
Parker was in the first wave to storm Omaha Beach on D-Day.
"We went across that beach with the machine guns hitting the ground right in front of us, shooting up sand," he said.
Parker said many people he served with died during their service.
"My mind won't let me remember it," he said. "You can't imagine. Look at this crowd. Every man here, laying there dead. That’s the way the beach looked.”
But Parker also joked about meeting Dwight Eisenhower when he was commanding general of the Allied force in Europe.
"He said, 'Anything I can do for you, let me know,'" Parker said. "Why in the world didn't I tell him, 'Get me out of this mess'?"
Parker said he also spotted an enemy soldier who refused orders to turn around. He said he gave the order several times, but the other person kept his back to him.
He fired and found he had shot a statue of Hitler in the head.
"All of my men, after that, every chance they got, that's the way they introduced me: 'This is Sergeant Parker who shot Hitler,'" Parker said.
Veterans attending said they hope events like this can show civilians their perspective. They said they also hope to convince young people the importance of military service to protect their rights.
"It taught me a lot of discipline. I learned how to think on the fly," one veteran said. "We know what it takes to work together. We know the sacrifice we have to make. Whatever the branch, you give us a mission, we're going to accomplish that mission."
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