The Veterans Day Ceremony on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary held even more significance this year with the dedication of the newly completed World War II Tribute.

The WWII Tribute, spearheaded by the Military Officers Association of America, honors all WWII veterans, including 42 local fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. It is a permanent parade viewing stand featuring WWII medals that represent that conflict’s Theaters of Operation.

The ceremony was made all the more moving by the attendance of a handful of local WWII veterans, who observed while seated in a place of honor from atop the new parade stand.

“As we gather to honor the service and sacrifices of our veterans on this special Veterans Day, it is a profound privilege to dedicate the new Tribute Stage to the courageous men and women of World War II,” said Cynthia Ryan, Veterans Council of Indian River County executive director, welcoming an estimated 1,500 attendees.

“Their legacy of bravery, resilience and dedication continues to inspire and remind us of the cost of our freedom. This ceremony is a testament to their heroism and a reminder of our community’s ongoing commitment to honoring all who have served,” Ryan added.

A grand affair, the ceremony was a collaborative effort of the Veterans Council and MOAA.

Continuing the regalia and traditions of years past, it featured the posting of colors and placing of the wreath, patriotic music, sounding the ships bell and a bagpiper, whose music resonated across the island.

Col. Tony Young, USA (Ret.), noted the historical significance of the day as the 80th anniversary year of the Normandy Invasion, the 70th anniversary of Veterans Day and the 60th anniversary of Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary.

He introduced this year’s keynote speaker, United States Army Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker (Ret.), who served as the 42nd U.S. Army Surgeon General. He reflected on some of the veterans he has known throughout his life.

“They were imbued with a self-affirming pride in their service and in being part of something that is greater than they were. In peacetime and in war, whether at home or abroad, they understood the oath that we had all taken,” said Schoomaker.

“We swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. They didn’t fight for a person; they didn’t fight for a place, not a party or an ideology. They served and fought for transformative ideas within the Constitution of the United States. Transformative ideas about ensuring justice and promoting liberty for all,” he added, before citing biographer Studs Terkel, who called WWII ‘the Good War.’

“The veterans of World War II are quiet heroes who demonstrated unity of purpose and devotion to a worthy cause. That cause was victory and liberation of vanquished people. Victory in a conflict that led to the Good War. There was something archetypally bad about our enemies, and there was something conversely purely good about those who fought against them.”

The evening before the Veterans Day Ceremony and Dedication, donors and supporters of the WWII Tribute gathered at the Heritage Center to celebrate the completion of the multi-year project. Guests enjoyed cocktails from 21st Amendment Distillery as they watched a video about the tribute and swapped their own war stories.

The WWII Tribute stands as a reminder for future generations of the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation, symbolizing the courage and unity of those who fought to preserve freedom.