1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:27,740 --> 00:00:29,796 Hello . I'm Tatiana's a party ? No , 3 00:00:29,796 --> 00:00:31,851 and I'm honored to host this special 4 00:00:31,851 --> 00:00:34,670 Virtual VE Day commemoration 75 years 5 00:00:34,670 --> 00:00:37,530 ago . On May 8th , 1945 the Allies 6 00:00:37,540 --> 00:00:39,429 formally announced Nazi Germany's 7 00:00:39,429 --> 00:00:41,651 surrender , ending more than five years 8 00:00:41,651 --> 00:00:43,990 of brutal fighting in over 40 million 9 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,320 deaths . In Europe alone , President 10 00:00:46,330 --> 00:00:48,330 Harry Truman called it a solemn but 11 00:00:48,330 --> 00:00:50,950 glorious hour . Celebrations erupted 12 00:00:50,950 --> 00:00:53,061 all over the world , including in the 13 00:00:53,061 --> 00:00:55,006 United States . Americans gathered 14 00:00:55,006 --> 00:00:57,339 together to express a range of emotions . 15 00:00:57,339 --> 00:00:59,283 Their euphoria , their friends and 16 00:00:59,283 --> 00:01:01,283 family would be coming home , their 17 00:01:01,283 --> 00:01:03,506 grief for the hundreds of thousands who 18 00:01:03,506 --> 00:01:05,728 had never stepped foot on American soil 19 00:01:05,728 --> 00:01:07,894 again and their fear for those service 20 00:01:07,894 --> 00:01:07,710 members still fighting in the Pacific . 21 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:10,710 But for a moment , world celebrated the 22 00:01:10,710 --> 00:01:13,440 hope of peace . I wish that practice D . 23 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,650 Roosevelt had lived to see this day . 24 00:01:22,940 --> 00:01:25,150 General Eisenhower informs me 25 00:01:26,940 --> 00:01:28,810 that the forces of Germany have 26 00:01:28,820 --> 00:01:31,250 surrendered for the United Nations . 27 00:01:32,340 --> 00:01:34,618 After more than five years of conflict , 28 00:01:34,730 --> 00:01:37,290 the war which had decimated families , 29 00:01:37,300 --> 00:01:40,270 towns and cities , came to an end via 30 00:01:40,270 --> 00:01:42,603 an unconditional surrender . On May 8th , 31 00:01:42,603 --> 00:01:43,650 1945 . 32 00:01:53,740 --> 00:01:56,620 The flags of freedom fly all over 33 00:01:56,620 --> 00:02:00,600 Europe , the power of 34 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:03,590 our people to defend themselves against 35 00:02:03,650 --> 00:02:06,660 all enemies will be approved in the 36 00:02:06,670 --> 00:02:09,910 Pacific war . That was true in Europe 37 00:02:19,140 --> 00:02:21,307 to those watching from home who fought 38 00:02:21,307 --> 00:02:23,529 for global peace 75 years ago . Whether 39 00:02:23,529 --> 00:02:25,640 you wore uniform , built a plane in a 40 00:02:25,640 --> 00:02:27,807 factory or grew vegetables in your own 41 00:02:27,807 --> 00:02:29,918 victory garden , we want to thank you 42 00:02:29,918 --> 00:02:31,918 for your sacrifices to our nation . 43 00:02:40,940 --> 00:02:42,996 You know , when I was a kid , almost 44 00:02:42,996 --> 00:02:45,330 every adult over the age of 30 was a 45 00:02:45,330 --> 00:02:47,780 member of the greatest generation . In 46 00:02:47,780 --> 00:02:50,490 fact , my Uncle John he was a life long 47 00:02:50,500 --> 00:02:54,170 Army career guy , and he used to put on 48 00:02:54,170 --> 00:02:56,392 the USO shows during World War Two . He 49 00:02:56,392 --> 00:02:59,080 got stars like Sinatra and Bing Crosby 50 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:01,520 in all those guys to go around . So 51 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:04,120 when I got to do USO shows , it was a 52 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:06,780 huge honor . I got to go toe Bagram Air 53 00:03:06,780 --> 00:03:08,502 Force Base in Desert Storm and 54 00:03:08,502 --> 00:03:10,930 Ottaviano in all these places , and I 55 00:03:10,930 --> 00:03:12,763 learned a lot about the greatest 56 00:03:12,763 --> 00:03:15,020 generation . When I was a kid , people 57 00:03:15,020 --> 00:03:17,353 didn't talk about their war experiences . 58 00:03:17,353 --> 00:03:19,520 It was until he went through a dresser 59 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:21,631 drawer . You attended a funeral . You 60 00:03:21,631 --> 00:03:24,160 found out one Uncle Mike for a heart 61 00:03:24,170 --> 00:03:26,970 recipient or Uncle Joe Silver Star . 62 00:03:27,190 --> 00:03:29,357 You know , they just didn't talk about 63 00:03:29,357 --> 00:03:31,468 it . They were ordinary Americans who 64 00:03:31,468 --> 00:03:33,320 did extraordinary things on the 65 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:34,820 hellacious circumstances . 66 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:39,807 When you think about the young men and 67 00:03:39,807 --> 00:03:41,973 women that served , or World War Two , 68 00:03:41,973 --> 00:03:44,140 what they did is they walked away from 69 00:03:44,140 --> 00:03:46,140 their homes all across America from 70 00:03:46,140 --> 00:03:45,980 their jobs , their careers , their 71 00:03:46,310 --> 00:03:48,390 hopes and dreams and they decide to 72 00:03:48,390 --> 00:03:50,557 serve . They volunteered into millions 73 00:03:50,557 --> 00:03:52,612 to go defend our country about broad 74 00:03:52,612 --> 00:03:54,800 from fast ism . I served abroad in 75 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:56,967 Europe For many years . I had also had 76 00:03:56,967 --> 00:03:58,800 the chance to not and combine my 77 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:00,300 understanding of America's 78 00:04:00,300 --> 00:04:02,356 participation in World War Two , but 79 00:04:02,356 --> 00:04:04,522 also the ability to live in Europe and 80 00:04:04,522 --> 00:04:06,522 walk many of those battlefields and 81 00:04:06,522 --> 00:04:06,370 getting understanding what the combat 82 00:04:06,380 --> 00:04:08,602 might have been like that time when you 83 00:04:08,602 --> 00:04:10,769 when you look at that , when you study 84 00:04:10,769 --> 00:04:12,936 the war , you just have to be inspired 85 00:04:12,936 --> 00:04:12,910 by men and women who served for many 86 00:04:12,910 --> 00:04:15,200 years , often times being wounded and 87 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,230 going back into combat . But more 88 00:04:17,230 --> 00:04:19,440 importantly , having no idea of when 89 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,384 the war might end , it went on for 90 00:04:21,384 --> 00:04:23,496 years , year after year , month after 91 00:04:23,496 --> 00:04:25,384 month , serving in combat against 92 00:04:25,384 --> 00:04:28,260 against the Axis really inspires and 93 00:04:28,260 --> 00:04:30,371 then on top of that , what we saw was 94 00:04:30,371 --> 00:04:32,371 these young men and women go home , 95 00:04:32,371 --> 00:04:34,316 return to the United States , take 96 00:04:34,316 --> 00:04:36,538 their uniforms , form off and just pick 97 00:04:36,538 --> 00:04:38,704 up their lives in many ways where they 98 00:04:38,704 --> 00:04:40,704 left him in their hometowns , going 99 00:04:40,704 --> 00:04:42,982 back to work , maybe pursuing a career , 100 00:04:42,982 --> 00:04:45,093 unoccupied ation or college , getting 101 00:04:45,093 --> 00:04:47,371 married and just building the families . 102 00:04:47,371 --> 00:04:49,538 I think those two things combined , or 103 00:04:49,538 --> 00:04:51,649 why they really inspire me and remind 104 00:04:51,649 --> 00:04:51,310 us all that they were and are the 105 00:04:51,310 --> 00:04:54,100 greatest generation . Today , people 106 00:04:54,100 --> 00:04:55,878 around the world are fighting a 107 00:04:55,878 --> 00:04:57,878 different kind of battle , one that 108 00:04:57,878 --> 00:05:00,156 cannot be defeated with military units , 109 00:05:00,156 --> 00:05:02,044 one that prevents us from joining 110 00:05:02,044 --> 00:05:03,878 together to commemorate the 75th 111 00:05:03,878 --> 00:05:05,878 anniversary of VE Day . But today's 112 00:05:05,878 --> 00:05:08,100 challenges will not stop us from paying 113 00:05:08,100 --> 00:05:10,211 tribute to the greatest generation to 114 00:05:10,211 --> 00:05:12,380 award war two heroes . We are blessed 115 00:05:12,380 --> 00:05:14,713 to have watching the men and women of U . 116 00:05:14,713 --> 00:05:16,960 S . European Command and all of NATO's 117 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:19,340 Allied command operations salute you . 118 00:05:20,340 --> 00:05:22,700 Our nation in the world will forever be 119 00:05:22,810 --> 00:05:26,380 in your debt in these uncertain times 120 00:05:26,390 --> 00:05:28,970 as ever , wear eternally inspired by 121 00:05:28,980 --> 00:05:32,500 grit , selfless service and sacrifices 122 00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:35,100 in defense of freedom , democracy and 123 00:05:35,100 --> 00:05:37,420 one another . Victory in Europe was 124 00:05:37,420 --> 00:05:39,587 gained through an allied force made up 125 00:05:39,587 --> 00:05:41,531 of countries with a common goal to 126 00:05:41,531 --> 00:05:43,364 defeat evil and defend freedom . 127 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,064 Introducing the man who coined the 128 00:05:49,064 --> 00:05:51,009 phrase The Greatest Generation Tom 129 00:05:51,009 --> 00:05:54,930 Brokaw , The e Day I was five 130 00:05:54,930 --> 00:05:57,370 years old , Victory in Europe and World 131 00:05:57,370 --> 00:06:00,350 War Two , an enormously important 132 00:06:00,350 --> 00:06:04,070 celebration we have taken on here or in 133 00:06:04,070 --> 00:06:06,260 Europe and prevailed with the help of 134 00:06:06,260 --> 00:06:08,427 our allies when a lot of people losing 135 00:06:08,427 --> 00:06:11,350 that was possible . So now is the time 136 00:06:11,830 --> 00:06:14,810 to remember the glory of VE day . 137 00:06:16,140 --> 00:06:18,084 My dad was a major influence on my 138 00:06:18,084 --> 00:06:20,029 decision to join the United States 139 00:06:20,029 --> 00:06:22,084 Marine Corps . See my dad in uniform 140 00:06:22,084 --> 00:06:24,500 and what it represented . Owner Courage 141 00:06:24,500 --> 00:06:26,850 Self service inspired me to wear the 142 00:06:26,850 --> 00:06:30,630 uniform myself . Most senior 143 00:06:30,630 --> 00:06:32,463 officer in the military was also 144 00:06:32,463 --> 00:06:34,519 inspired by his mother and father to 145 00:06:34,519 --> 00:06:36,741 serve our country . I would now like to 146 00:06:36,741 --> 00:06:38,741 introduce the chairman of the Joint 147 00:06:38,741 --> 00:06:40,963 Chiefs of Staff , General Mark Milley . 148 00:06:40,963 --> 00:06:42,797 Both my parents were part of the 149 00:06:42,797 --> 00:06:44,963 greatest generation and proudly served 150 00:06:44,963 --> 00:06:46,963 in World War two . My mother served 151 00:06:46,963 --> 00:06:49,241 with the Navy at a hospital in Seattle , 152 00:06:49,241 --> 00:06:51,297 taking care of the wounded returning 153 00:06:51,297 --> 00:06:53,463 from overseas . My father was with the 154 00:06:53,463 --> 00:06:55,519 fourth Marine Division . It made the 155 00:06:55,519 --> 00:06:57,797 assault landings at Kwajalein , SaiPan , 156 00:06:57,797 --> 00:07:00,190 Tinian and Iwo Jima . Hello . Both have 157 00:07:00,190 --> 00:07:02,500 passed on . I carry their example of 158 00:07:02,500 --> 00:07:04,920 integrity and selfless service is daily 159 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:08,560 inspiration . Since the mid nineties , 160 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:10,810 we've been losing these heroes at the 161 00:07:10,810 --> 00:07:13,770 rate of about 1500 a day . And now 162 00:07:13,770 --> 00:07:16,150 we're down to just a handful . But I'm 163 00:07:16,150 --> 00:07:18,950 glad we still have that handful here to 164 00:07:18,950 --> 00:07:21,430 thank were more fortunate . You can 165 00:07:21,430 --> 00:07:23,541 hear a lot of them in their own words 166 00:07:23,541 --> 00:07:25,652 and pictures by taking a look at this 167 00:07:27,730 --> 00:07:31,010 British FLewis into Brussels way have 168 00:07:31,020 --> 00:07:33,310 been cleaned up from the prison camp we 169 00:07:33,310 --> 00:07:37,210 have been fed . I remember getting into 170 00:07:37,210 --> 00:07:39,900 Brussels gave us a couple hours off . 171 00:07:39,900 --> 00:07:42,260 We went into a bar , we drank some beer 172 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:46,020 and then we went to sleep . That was 173 00:07:46,460 --> 00:07:49,880 true liberation . I had absolutely 174 00:07:50,460 --> 00:07:52,793 no fear that we were gonna lose the war . 175 00:07:52,793 --> 00:07:55,200 We were gonna win The Dave at the end 176 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:57,420 of a lot of struggle and lot of 177 00:07:57,770 --> 00:08:00,510 heartache was there was the first real 178 00:08:00,510 --> 00:08:04,380 that was over . I was on a B 17 crew 179 00:08:04,970 --> 00:08:07,140 victory in Europe day . We got it up . 180 00:08:07,140 --> 00:08:10,030 All these red players there was a small 181 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:12,870 bills behind our camp . Plug these in a 182 00:08:12,870 --> 00:08:15,560 little over the hill , 1000 of them and 183 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,900 they let you know at the same time . It 184 00:08:17,900 --> 00:08:20,067 was quite a display . I was one of the 185 00:08:20,067 --> 00:08:22,178 celebrations . My medic always wanted 186 00:08:22,178 --> 00:08:24,122 to go hunting and he went out with 187 00:08:24,122 --> 00:08:26,178 anybody . And within 20 minutes they 188 00:08:26,178 --> 00:08:28,178 come back with the deer . So we had 189 00:08:28,178 --> 00:08:32,050 Bennett on the day way . Save 190 00:08:32,060 --> 00:08:34,430 not only America , we saved Western 191 00:08:34,650 --> 00:08:36,730 culture . Western civilization . 192 00:08:41,740 --> 00:08:43,796 World War two veterans have been the 193 00:08:43,796 --> 00:08:45,907 subject of countless books , TV shows 194 00:08:45,907 --> 00:08:47,851 and blockbuster movies . If you're 195 00:08:47,851 --> 00:08:49,962 lucky enough to have had a veteran in 196 00:08:49,962 --> 00:08:52,129 your life , you know why their stories 197 00:08:52,129 --> 00:08:54,351 of courage , selfless service and valor 198 00:08:54,351 --> 00:08:56,351 continue to inspire the generations 199 00:08:56,351 --> 00:08:58,351 that follow them . Take a listen to 200 00:08:58,351 --> 00:09:00,518 what made this the greatest generation 201 00:09:02,270 --> 00:09:05,580 flying for your country . It's probably 202 00:09:05,580 --> 00:09:07,350 the high point of my life . 203 00:09:12,510 --> 00:09:15,450 16 million of us served in the military . 204 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:18,390 Eight million young women became Rosie 205 00:09:18,390 --> 00:09:20,501 the rivers and built ER planes on the 206 00:09:20,501 --> 00:09:22,870 tanks in the boat . So everybody was 207 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:24,824 war . There was a purity perfect , 208 00:09:24,824 --> 00:09:26,658 which was still eliminate evil . 209 00:09:31,300 --> 00:09:34,500 I built B 17 and B 29 . No , I was a 210 00:09:34,500 --> 00:09:36,611 riveter first your bucker when you're 211 00:09:36,611 --> 00:09:38,667 signed in your bunker , and then you 212 00:09:38,667 --> 00:09:40,670 become riveter after to get good at 213 00:09:40,670 --> 00:09:43,490 what you're doing . They didn't realize 214 00:09:43,490 --> 00:09:45,546 how capable American women were . We 215 00:09:45,546 --> 00:09:47,879 never had a chance to prove it . Hitler . 216 00:09:47,879 --> 00:09:49,768 It said that he wouldn't have any 217 00:09:49,768 --> 00:09:51,934 trouble too feeding us because he said 218 00:09:51,934 --> 00:09:53,990 American women couldn't produce . He 219 00:09:53,990 --> 00:09:55,823 said . We spent too much time on 220 00:09:55,823 --> 00:09:57,879 cosmetics . I think we showed Hitler 221 00:09:57,879 --> 00:09:57,770 with American women were made it . 222 00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:04,380 Wars are won there , not one by bombing , 223 00:10:04,890 --> 00:10:07,590 not one run able gun for their wine 224 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:10,910 there , one with a grunt grew forward . 225 00:10:11,680 --> 00:10:15,660 Claps , plague were judged and 226 00:10:15,670 --> 00:10:18,860 spirit of that 18 year old Marie . That 227 00:10:18,870 --> 00:10:20,620 broader foot we are today , 228 00:10:22,950 --> 00:10:26,150 just get German are but 229 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,610 pilots , mechanics and support people 230 00:10:29,620 --> 00:10:32,240 who , when our country declared war 231 00:10:32,370 --> 00:10:36,090 games hit , came forward 232 00:10:36,090 --> 00:10:38,890 and dispelled the biases and 233 00:10:38,900 --> 00:10:40,900 generalisations that because of the 234 00:10:40,900 --> 00:10:43,122 color of our skin , we couldn't support 235 00:10:43,122 --> 00:10:45,233 our country . In the technical area , 236 00:10:45,233 --> 00:10:47,820 task was to keep their clear German 237 00:10:47,830 --> 00:10:51,050 fighters that were destroying many of 238 00:10:51,050 --> 00:10:53,217 our bombers . You know , we thought we 239 00:10:53,217 --> 00:10:55,383 had enough guns on the B 17 and B 24th 240 00:10:55,383 --> 00:10:57,494 to protect him . That wasn't so , And 241 00:10:57,494 --> 00:10:59,760 that's why the escort work began . We 242 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,970 also destroyed a lot of the Germany's 243 00:11:02,970 --> 00:11:05,026 war making potential on the ground . 244 00:11:07,940 --> 00:11:10,320 I am the proud daughter of Colonel 245 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:13,070 Lawrence E . Roberts , who was a member 246 00:11:13,220 --> 00:11:15,164 of the Tuskegee Airman . I have an 247 00:11:15,164 --> 00:11:17,276 immense appreciation for this special 248 00:11:17,276 --> 00:11:19,331 broadcast to honor our World War two 249 00:11:19,331 --> 00:11:21,890 veterans for their sacrifices that led 250 00:11:21,890 --> 00:11:24,057 the peace for our great nation and our 251 00:11:24,057 --> 00:11:27,270 allies all around the world . Thank you 252 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:30,360 and bless you . May 8th 253 00:11:30,370 --> 00:11:33,690 1945 will forever be known as V E Day 254 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:36,970 victory in Europe Day . It's a day 255 00:11:36,970 --> 00:11:39,081 World War Two in the European Theater 256 00:11:39,081 --> 00:11:41,840 of Operations officially ended by the 257 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,240 middle of April 1945 . The United 258 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:46,750 States Army's 69th Infantry Division 259 00:11:46,750 --> 00:11:48,917 linked up with the Soviets at the Elbe 260 00:11:48,917 --> 00:11:51,083 River . The third Army under general , 261 00:11:51,083 --> 00:11:53,194 Patton penetrated deep into Germany , 262 00:11:53,194 --> 00:11:55,250 reaching as far north as Austria and 263 00:11:55,250 --> 00:11:58,870 Czechoslovakia . As the allies closed 264 00:11:58,870 --> 00:12:01,120 in , Adolf Hitler committed suicide in 265 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:03,800 his Berlin bunker On April 30th Carl 266 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:05,689 Donuts became a successor , and , 267 00:12:05,689 --> 00:12:07,800 knowing the war was lost , he ordered 268 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:09,967 Alfred Jodl to sign the instruments of 269 00:12:09,967 --> 00:12:12,078 surrender in Rheims , France , on May 270 00:12:12,078 --> 00:12:14,350 7th , Field Marshal Will Hind title , 271 00:12:14,350 --> 00:12:16,350 then signed Germany's unconditional 272 00:12:16,350 --> 00:12:18,550 surrender in Berlin on May 8th , 273 00:12:18,830 --> 00:12:21,560 officially ending six years of brutal 274 00:12:21,560 --> 00:12:25,320 warfare in Europe . In June 275 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:28,620 of 1944 . As my father hit the beach , 276 00:12:28,620 --> 00:12:31,130 it's I Pan with the Marines . His 277 00:12:31,130 --> 00:12:33,186 brother was at Normandy on the other 278 00:12:33,186 --> 00:12:35,352 side of the world . It's an incredible 279 00:12:35,352 --> 00:12:37,019 tale of courage . It helps to 280 00:12:37,019 --> 00:12:39,130 illustrate the scope and scale of the 281 00:12:39,130 --> 00:12:41,074 conflict . Our nation was fighting 282 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:43,024 those who stepped forward to serve 283 00:12:43,024 --> 00:12:45,024 during World War Two . Each of them 284 00:12:45,024 --> 00:12:47,247 served a cause bigger than themselves . 285 00:12:47,660 --> 00:12:49,930 Greatest generation understood that we 286 00:12:49,930 --> 00:12:51,970 live in an exceptional country , a 287 00:12:51,980 --> 00:12:54,150 country worth defending . And so the 288 00:12:54,150 --> 00:12:56,261 message I'd like to pass along to the 289 00:12:56,261 --> 00:12:58,094 World War two veterans and their 290 00:12:58,094 --> 00:13:00,261 families who are watching right now is 291 00:13:00,261 --> 00:13:02,483 very simple . I just simply want to say 292 00:13:02,483 --> 00:13:05,480 thank you . Hello , I'm J . D Crouch , 293 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:07,536 CEO and president of the U . S . O . 294 00:13:08,250 --> 00:13:10,472 USOs mission of strengthening our armed 295 00:13:10,472 --> 00:13:12,520 forces by connecting them to family 296 00:13:12,680 --> 00:13:14,910 home in countries began during World 297 00:13:14,910 --> 00:13:17,310 War Two . During that war , more than a 298 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:19,950 1,000,000 Americans volunteered for us 299 00:13:20,630 --> 00:13:23,770 on behalf of all us so employees and 300 00:13:23,770 --> 00:13:26,550 are 30,000 volunteers around the globe . 301 00:13:26,940 --> 00:13:29,570 We proudly commemorate your service and 302 00:13:29,570 --> 00:13:32,270 sacrifice on victory in Europe Day 303 00:13:32,710 --> 00:13:35,110 Thank you to all the veterans who 304 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,190 courageously served during World War 305 00:13:37,190 --> 00:13:39,750 Two . Like a lot of Americans , I had 306 00:13:39,750 --> 00:13:42,260 forefathers who served in World War 21 307 00:13:42,260 --> 00:13:44,730 of whom paid the ultimate price . And 308 00:13:44,730 --> 00:13:46,841 I'm very grateful to the veterans who 309 00:13:46,841 --> 00:13:49,008 are still with us today for the United 310 00:13:49,008 --> 00:13:51,119 States of America that we live in the 311 00:13:51,119 --> 00:13:53,063 land of the free , the home of the 312 00:13:53,063 --> 00:13:55,230 brave . Thank you . I wanted to take a 313 00:13:55,230 --> 00:13:57,452 moment to say Thank you for all of your 314 00:13:57,452 --> 00:13:59,619 incredibly selfless and heroic acts of 315 00:13:59,619 --> 00:14:01,730 service . While defending the liberty 316 00:14:01,730 --> 00:14:03,952 of the United States of America against 317 00:14:03,952 --> 00:14:05,952 fascism , the world remains in your 318 00:14:05,952 --> 00:14:08,063 debt . There's a reason you're called 319 00:14:08,063 --> 00:14:10,230 the greatest generation . You set this 320 00:14:10,230 --> 00:14:12,310 standard , you set the bar , and a 321 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:14,542 grateful nation hopes we can live up to 322 00:14:14,542 --> 00:14:16,900 it . Thank you for your service . And 323 00:14:16,900 --> 00:14:18,844 thank you for the victory that you 324 00:14:18,844 --> 00:14:21,550 secured 75 years ago . God bless you 325 00:14:21,550 --> 00:14:22,994 all . And your families ? 326 00:14:29,540 --> 00:14:32,040 Yes . In Democratic America , everybody 327 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:34,080 is doing his bit . There goes Jimmy 328 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:36,302 Stewart on his way to enlist one of the 329 00:14:36,302 --> 00:14:38,247 most popular stars on the screen . 330 00:14:38,247 --> 00:14:40,191 Joining the Air Force is a private 331 00:14:40,191 --> 00:14:42,191 Jimmy has now won promotion . Today 332 00:14:42,191 --> 00:14:45,720 he's Lieutenant Stewart USA . Joe Louis , 333 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,010 who beat Max Schmeling . The Army can 334 00:14:48,010 --> 00:14:49,954 use that fighting spirit , and Joe 335 00:14:49,954 --> 00:14:52,010 Louis is now a corporal of cavalry . 336 00:14:52,010 --> 00:14:53,343 Somewhere in the West , 337 00:14:58,540 --> 00:15:00,750 a movie star of modern times is sworn 338 00:15:00,750 --> 00:15:03,560 into service . Tyrone Power , the role 339 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:05,727 of many a daring exploit on the silver 340 00:15:05,727 --> 00:15:07,838 screens of the world field , now play 341 00:15:07,838 --> 00:15:09,782 his greatest role as a leatherneck 342 00:15:09,782 --> 00:15:12,010 Marine . Franklin Roosevelt Jr is in 343 00:15:12,010 --> 00:15:14,570 uniform . His fellow officer is Douglas 344 00:15:14,570 --> 00:15:16,903 Fairbanks Jr . A lieutenant in the Navy . 345 00:15:17,340 --> 00:15:19,470 Young Doug . Like his famous father , 346 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:21,820 every inch of man is serving with a 347 00:15:21,820 --> 00:15:25,120 fleet . Clark Gable , at 41 348 00:15:25,220 --> 00:15:27,387 renounces his throne as America's most 349 00:15:27,387 --> 00:15:29,500 popular film star to join the United 350 00:15:29,500 --> 00:15:31,770 States Army . Air Force , enlisting as 351 00:15:31,770 --> 00:15:34,030 a private his ambition to become a 352 00:15:34,030 --> 00:15:36,086 crack aerial gunner in the crew of a 353 00:15:36,086 --> 00:15:38,810 bomber . This is the people's way of 354 00:15:38,810 --> 00:15:40,840 saying from the home front to the 355 00:15:40,850 --> 00:15:43,220 battlefront for movie stars to sales 356 00:15:43,230 --> 00:15:46,210 clerks , America's 130 million citizens 357 00:15:46,290 --> 00:15:49,950 are in the war . Enlisted 358 00:15:49,950 --> 00:15:52,172 service members are the backbone of the 359 00:15:52,172 --> 00:15:54,172 military , both in World War Two as 360 00:15:54,172 --> 00:15:56,006 well as today , and they haven't 361 00:15:56,006 --> 00:15:58,061 advocate in the position that didn't 362 00:15:58,061 --> 00:16:00,283 exist during World War Two . The senior 363 00:16:00,283 --> 00:16:02,506 enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the 364 00:16:02,506 --> 00:16:04,506 Joint Chiefs of Staff , Ramon Colon 365 00:16:04,506 --> 00:16:08,310 Lopez , Today and always we must never 366 00:16:08,310 --> 00:16:10,532 forget that our national has faced many 367 00:16:10,532 --> 00:16:12,588 challenges . And our purpose remains 368 00:16:12,588 --> 00:16:14,660 the same . To protect our freedom . 369 00:16:15,740 --> 00:16:17,518 Just as the greatest generation 370 00:16:17,518 --> 00:16:19,629 embodied the love and loyalty for the 371 00:16:19,629 --> 00:16:21,750 ideal set forth in our Constitution . 372 00:16:22,140 --> 00:16:24,890 We know it is now our turn . The 373 00:16:24,890 --> 00:16:26,946 greatest generation did this for our 374 00:16:26,946 --> 00:16:30,520 country and wish I'll do the same . I 375 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:33,010 salute you and your families and trust 376 00:16:33,010 --> 00:16:35,232 that we will keep the torch burning and 377 00:16:35,232 --> 00:16:38,050 trust that we will keep America free . 378 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:40,489 I just want to give a shout out a 379 00:16:40,489 --> 00:16:42,656 sincere thank you to all the World War 380 00:16:42,656 --> 00:16:44,600 Two veterans . Your service coming 381 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:46,711 before us allowed us to serve today . 382 00:16:46,711 --> 00:16:48,656 Thank you so much way as a society 383 00:16:48,656 --> 00:16:50,100 cannot thank you enough . 384 00:16:55,740 --> 00:16:57,740 Thank you for showing me what Balor 385 00:16:57,740 --> 00:17:00,073 looks like . Thank you for your bravery , 386 00:17:00,073 --> 00:17:02,129 your sacrifices , and for paving the 387 00:17:02,129 --> 00:17:04,351 way for us . We appreciate your service 388 00:17:04,351 --> 00:17:06,407 and everything you have done for our 389 00:17:06,407 --> 00:17:08,573 country . Without you , we wouldn't be 390 00:17:08,573 --> 00:17:10,684 here . Means that God bless you truly 391 00:17:10,684 --> 00:17:12,907 are national heroes . Thank you . Thank 392 00:17:12,907 --> 00:17:12,080 you . Thank you . Thank you . Thank you . 393 00:17:12,090 --> 00:17:15,170 Thank you . The legacy of our greatest 394 00:17:15,170 --> 00:17:17,392 generation lives on . And those who are 395 00:17:17,392 --> 00:17:19,614 the uniforms . Many of those serving in 396 00:17:19,614 --> 00:17:21,726 the United States today were inspired 397 00:17:21,726 --> 00:17:23,892 to raise the right hand by veterans in 398 00:17:23,892 --> 00:17:26,114 their life . A father , a grandfather , 399 00:17:26,114 --> 00:17:28,337 a mother and aunt . In fact , it was my 400 00:17:28,337 --> 00:17:30,226 father , retired Gunnery Sergeant 401 00:17:30,226 --> 00:17:32,337 Zapper Dino , who inspired me to join 402 00:17:32,337 --> 00:17:34,670 the United States Marine Corps . Thanks , 403 00:17:34,670 --> 00:17:36,837 Bob , from all those currently serving 404 00:17:36,837 --> 00:17:38,948 to those whose boot steps we follow . 405 00:17:38,948 --> 00:17:42,800 Thank you . You 406 00:17:42,810 --> 00:17:44,620 see 407 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:48,400 the 408 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:58,630 way ? 409 00:17:59,540 --> 00:18:00,050 Who's 410 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:24,350 way , 411 00:18:53,710 --> 00:19:00,090 Way ? 412 00:19:05,540 --> 00:19:07,429 Thank you for joining us for this 413 00:19:07,429 --> 00:19:09,750 virtual commemoration of VE Day . Even 414 00:19:09,750 --> 00:19:11,694 though we're apart for now , we're 415 00:19:11,694 --> 00:19:13,850 never alone . The greatest generation 416 00:19:13,850 --> 00:19:15,850 showed the world that no matter the 417 00:19:15,850 --> 00:19:17,850 sacrifice required , Americans will 418 00:19:17,850 --> 00:19:19,572 face any challenge with grit , 419 00:19:19,700 --> 00:19:23,070 ingenuity and a can do attitude . In 420 00:19:23,070 --> 00:19:24,792 recent weeks , America's first 421 00:19:24,792 --> 00:19:26,792 responders military and health care 422 00:19:26,792 --> 00:19:29,014 professionals have shown that that same 423 00:19:29,014 --> 00:19:31,780 victory spirit is alive and well . We 424 00:19:31,780 --> 00:19:34,150 salute you for more inspiring stories 425 00:19:34,150 --> 00:19:36,094 on World War Two . Visit defense . 426 00:19:36,094 --> 00:19:37,810 Stock of this is former first 427 00:19:37,810 --> 00:19:40,500 Lieutenant Tatiana Zapper . Dino , stay 428 00:19:40,500 --> 00:19:41,500 safe out there , 429 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:55,100 okay ? 430 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:26,450 I think