The ceremony began with the posting of the colors by a Marine color guard.
Then, Emory Crowder - WWII Navy Corpsman, Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient. Veteran of Guam, Saipan, and Okinawa, led the Pledge of Allegiance and Major Scott D. Allen, U.S. Air Force, led the national anthem.
Emory Crowder leads the Pledge of Allegiance
National Anthem at D-Day remembrance
Major Scott D. Allen leads the national anthem
Watch the video below.
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Next, Ohio 16th District representative Anthony Gonzalez gave the invocation. He read the prayer that President Roosevelt read to the nation on the night of June 6, 1944.
Rep. Anthony Gonzalez
Bob DiBiasio, Sr. Vice President-Public Affairs, Cleveland Indians Baseball, introduced the people on stage as well as Indians owner Paul Dolan and Bob Feller's wife Anne. He told of the history of League Park, the original home of the Cleveland Indians, and the US military including a fight by Johnny Kilbane in 1918 to raise funds and the celebration that stopped a baseball game on VJ Day. He reminded the crowd that Bob Feller was the first professional athlete to enlist after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Bob DiBiasio
Next, Mrs. Robyn Modly, Ship Sponsor of the USS Cleveland (LCS-31), told about the history of the ship and future plans. The USS Cleveland (LCS-31) Legacy Foundation has been established with the purpose to send the USS Cleveland (LCS-31) to the Fleet with the greatest start possible, to support the ship and crew throughout her service life, and to welcome her home to Cleveland at the completion of her Naval service.
Mrs. Robyn Modly
Bob Allen, 1 of 2 survivors of the USS Cleveland, which earned 13 battle stars in WWII, was recognized.
Bob Allen
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is a US Army veteran and he thanked the veterans for their service and welcomed them to League Park and to Cleveland.
Mayor Frank Jackson
Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy Thomas B. Modly gave the keynote address and his remarks included the story of his emotional visit to Normandy.
Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy Thomas B. Modly
The ceremony concluded with a 21 gun salute, the playing of Taps and the singing of God Bless America led by Major Scott D. Allen, U.S. Air Force.
21 gun salute
Taps
Singing God Bless America
After the ceremony, Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy Thomas B. Modly answered some questions about the sacrifice of the veterans and those currently serving. He told of a young enlistee at age 17 who saw the war from start to finish.
Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy Thomas B. Modly
Bob DiBiasio, Sr. Vice President-Public Affairs, Cleveland Indians Baseball, told about the 37 Baseball Hall of Famers who served in World War II and the story of Bob Feller who was the first to enlist.
37 Baseball Hall of Famers served in World War II
Enjoy these other images from the Remembrance event.
World War II Veterans at League Park
World War II Veterans entering League Park
World War II Veterans signing the banner
US Veterans banner with signatures
Master of Ceremonies for the event
World War II veteran telling his story
World War II veteran telling his story
World War II veteran telling his story
Posing with Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy Thomas B. Modly
Posing with Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy Thomas B. Modly
Thank you to this World War II veteran and all the other
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