"I never regretted being a Marine but I am sorry that I never got the opportunity to fly the jets because of the loss of my eye during an attack."

Mr. Mainiero served from 1942 — 1946 and flew fifty-one flights over enemy territory. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and Presidential Citation.

"I learned discipline, team work, and how to get along with different types of people."

On June 3rd, 1943 Mr. Friedburg left home for the first time to follow in this brother and brother-in-law's footsteps to be drafted into the Army. As he was leaving home and looking back at his parents' house he saw a banner hung with three stars letting the world know there are three honorable men in their family. Knowing that Stan had the support of his family made his decision to enlist easier. Stan had to grow up quick since he was only 18 at the time. His unit received three Battle Stars (England, France and Germany) and the Good Conduct Medal. January 6th, 1946, he was discharged as an Honorable Sergeant, and returned to Rutgers University to continue his education. From 1946 to this day he still exchanges Christmas cards and phone calls with another soldier from his unit.

"I learned that people are pretty much capable of anything, good or bad."

Mr. Carter served from 1943 — 1946 in the 86th Infantry or "Black Hawk Division," named after the Sauk Leader Chief Black Hawk. In 1926 the NHL allowed Chicago to name their ice hockey team the Chicago Black Hawks after the unit. His unit was sent to capture the City of Hagen, Germany. He said they got word on route that President Roosevelt had died and learned Truman would take over as President. He said he didn't even know Truman was Vice President at the time. "The first night we got there we slept in the back yard of a factory. When we awoke, someone discovered the Germans eating breakfast in the front yard. We'd all been sleeping right across from each other! Luckily, the Germans high-tailed it out of there." Once he saw a bridge blow up right after he'd crossed it. Once they looked up to see what they thought was a bad snow storm, which turned out to be their first sight of the Alps. The first time he saw the Statue of Liberty was from the boat bringing him home from Europe.

"I learned how to establish relationships with people of other countries, customs and cultures."

Mr. Barlas served as an Engineer in the U.S. Army from April 1941 — January 1946. He received a European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Asian-Pacific Service Medal and American Defense Service Medal. Mr. Barlas designed a bridge over the Rhine River in Germany after the War.

"Being drafted at 18 you have to grow up real fast. I was proud to serve my country and was glad to see the war end."

Mr. Hanley was drafted right out of school in August of 1943 and served three years on a B-17 as a radio operator during WWII.

"I learned very quickly that if you have faith and determination, you will succeed and survive."

Ms. Williford served 3.5 years as a 63 Field Army Nurse in WWII, where she followed the infantry and cared for the most seriously wounded.

"We left as boys, and came back as men."

Now 91 years old, Mr. Stern reflects fondly on his years of service as a staff sergeant during WWII, U.S. Army Air Force Corps attached to the 746th Bomb Squadron of the 456th Bomb Group. He served from 1942 — 1945. Medals received: Victory WWII Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Medal. He has written a novel: 'Bail Out' about his experiences as a Ball Turret Gunner, chosen for this position due to his small frame. When not on missions, Mr. Stern was entertaining the troops. Involved in daily air strikes on Nazi Germany, at 3:00am March 15th, 1945 the bomber he was crew in took a direct hit. The pilot ordered everything not attached to the aircraft be 'thrown out' to get them to safer ground. An inflated life raft was thrown and the pilot shouted "Take that! And that! If we can't shoot them, we'll confuse them." Everyone in the aircraft was ordered to 'bail out' and he was last to leave, as they were close to the border of Hungary. He received gasoline burns from the flooded cage he was in on board, and became a target of gunfire on his descent. Landing in a field he was helped by Hungarian Partisans, who hid him in a wall alcove as the German Army searched for all the airmen. He was secretly moved from one family to another and reunited with his fellow airmen one at a time, until they were escorted to Russian Military HQ in Debrecen, Hungary where they were interrogated and given necessary attention. They ultimately moved them into Budapest with the Russians and returned them to their base in Italy. After the war ended he became a DJ at WMBM and worked alongside such artists as Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, The Fontane Sisters, Teddy Powell and his Orchestra, and many more, who often frequented his show. Mr. Stern has led a inspiring life, living life to the fullest in everything he has done.

"Obey all orders."

Mr. Gilman served 1941 — 1946. In April 2008, with the help of his son, Jack self published a book entitled, "World War II Remembrances — An officer's Personal Account of Country, Family, Training & Combat In The Greatest Conflict of the 20th Century." Jack wrote his book in installments and would send them to his son to be published. He carries the book with him and frequently reads sections of it aloud to anyone who cares to listen. He reflects on that time with fond memories. He says those years were some of the best years of his life.

"Serve your country where they station you."

Mr. Schoenfeld served 1942 — 1944 and was also an instructor for water survival skills.

"I learned how to be an effective leader, delegate to people and be organized."

Mr. Turner became a Colonel after 33 wonderful years of service. He was stationed in Italy during WWII and was shot in the shoulder by his very own friend and then once more in the knee. He even received two Purple Hearts! He also recalls a time when he was aboard a large ship with over 4,000 people and they were supposed to port in Italy but the ship was too large for the port and they had to sail to a larger port in Austria.

"I learned if I get hit, I get hit. If I don't, I don't."

Mr. Schulze served 6.5 years (1943 — 1951, with a break in between). He cheated death numerous times, and a thread of resiliency ties all of his military and later life exploits together. There was a time when he served as a company runner for a rifle platoon and he got caught in between enemy tanks. For three days, he had to hunker down in a foxhole with bullets flying over his head. "Finally, I thought well, I better make a break for it," Schulze said. "If I get hit, I get hit. If I don't, I don't." This attitude has carried throughout his life. He has also survived a lightning strike at the age of 18 and a broken neck only a couple of years ago. He lost an eye in Korea when he was directly hit by grenade fire. He still has shrapnel in the surviving eye and several prominent scars where other grenades hit him. On September 28th, 2011, Mr. Schulze flew to the nation's capital as a guest of the Veteran's Honor Flight.

"At 103, I remember my service days as though they were yesterday."

Ms. Voris was stationed in a Lido Beach hotel where she received her orders as a volunteer ambulance driver. WWII revitalized the hotel and the Navy used it as a discharge station when the war ended. She drove the ambulance and the motor car that transported service men and women to and from the boat yard.

"Be straight, listen to your elders."

Mr. Dash served from 1953 — 1954 and attended basic training at Fort Hood, Texas. In addition to his military duties, Mr. Dash was on the Army boxing team and traveled to Germany, Japan and other points abroad.

"It was an experience being a Colonel. I learned how to manage people."

During his years in the military (Navy: 1938; Army Air Corp: 1942 — Retired; Air Force: 1947), Dr. Hodge earned more than 33 medals, including battle medals. He started off in the Navy yet got sea sick and resigned. He then traveled to Northern Africa and Europe and fought in WWII. Dr. Hodge holds two PhDs, one in Physics and one in Math.

"I learned to have patience and control of my emotions."

Mr. Burnett served October 18th, 1943 — October 26th, 1945 at Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Kera Retta. His role was Signalman Third Class. He has participated in Watermark University teaching such classes as The Power of Positive Thinking.

"Be honest. Accept responsibility for your actions. Always be thankful you were born in the U.S."

Colonel Edelstein is most proud of his service as commanding officer of the 70th Combat Engineer Battalion in Vietnam from July 1965 — July 1966. When they arrived, Hanoi Hannah, the Vietnamese radio propagandist greeted them with the prediction that they would fail. The 70th was one of the first engineer battalions to deploy to Vietnam. At the town of An Khe, they built roads, bridges, airfields and barracks for 15,000 men of the 1st Calvary Division. This included the largest heliport in the world at the time. Colonel Edelstein took command of the 70th in 1964 at Fort Campbell Kentucky. A normal tour of duty was 6 months, but Colonel Edelstein was allowed to stay with his men for a year. Colonel Edelstein began his military education at The Citadel, and then West Point. He graduated from West Point with a bachelor of science degree. He earned a master's degree in civil engineering from the California Institute of Technology. He is also a graduate of both the basic and advanced courses of the Army Engineering School, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.

"The years separated from family during the war gave me a great appreciation of family and friends."

Mr. Bermann served 1944 — 1947 including battles at Okinawa and is a Navy man through and through. He even incorporates an anchor into his signature. He was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1941 by Congresswoman Mary T. Norton. After the war, he attended engineering school and became chief engineer officer in 1946. Every October at The Fountains he hosts a dinner for about 30 people who were in the Navy or had relatives that were. He does this in October because that is the birthday of the Navy. He and his guests display their Navy memorabilia on three 6-foot long tables. They have a large cake and a patriotic celebration.

"I worked my way from sailor to a Senior Lieutenant in the Navy. You don't do that standing on your head."

Mr. Debell served in the Navy for 25 years, spanning World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He worked for the research and development group for radar systems and aircraft systems, especially with electronics. At the tail end of WWII, he flew on a B-17 and several other aircrafts. His last position before his retirement in 1967 was an Aircraft Maintenance Officer of LPHs, an aircraft carrier for the Marines. His assignments were in the Atlantic Aircraft Squadrons plus Pacific on the USS Okinawa, a helicopter carrier supporting the Marines in Vietnam. After he retired from the Navy, he worked for 22 years as an engineer at Grumman Aerospace.

"My time in the Navy allowed me to proudly serve our county, develop my skills as an RN, and make lifelong friends."

Enlisted as a Navy Nurse near the end of WWII and stationed at a receiving hospital close to Riverside, California, she remained in the Reserves, got married and had one child before the Korean War began. One Saturday morning, her husband said that there was a Navy station wagon in the driveway. "Two sailors got out and came to our door to serve me papers that I was being called back to active duty. I happened to be 8 months pregnant with our second child and they took one look at me and they decided I was more of a liability than an asset. Needless to say, they left without serving the papers. After that, I decided that I should resign from the Reserves. I ended my Navy service with no regrets."

"I learned to get along with everyone, how to take care of others and feel compassion."

Mr. Fortunato served from 1944 — 1948 (4 years, 4 months, 4 days). He received the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal and took care of everyone on the ship from wounds, malaria, ordinary flu symptoms and casualties. When asked if he would do it all over again he smiled and said "Absolutely."

"Being disciplined is a lifelong lesson that grows with you and comes in handy. I'm proud to have served my country. I had the opportunity to make so many wonderful friendships while in the military."

In December 1942 Mr. Harrington was working as a laboratory technician in Chester, PA when he was drafted by the United States Army. He was a Sergeant, Squad Leader and part of a mine platoon. He served in England, Belgium and Germany, participating in the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in the capture of the Remagen Bridge over the Rhine River, spent four months in the hospitals in Germany and Paris, finally coming to the States and receiving treatment at Woodrow Wilson Hospital, Stanton, VA. He was discharged in July 1945, and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.

"Always think 'what if'? Be prepared in all aspects of life. Plan for anything that may come up."

Mr. Wolf served 20 years. He attended West Point, was on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day, in the Battle of the Bulge, Hurtgen Forest. He is a Retired Lt. Colonel and worked at the Pentagon.

"Be thankful for the things in life you have seen through the years. Be thankful you are alive and live life to the fullest."

Mr. Weisel served 2.5 years during WWII. He landed on Normandy Beach, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, helped liberate a concentration camp (Nordhausen) and earned a WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Normandy Beach Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. On August 24th, 2003 Mr. Weisel visited Normandy Beach. It was something he always wanted to do. He wanted to go back and visit the place his memory could not erase. While he was at the Utah Beach Museum on Normandy Beach he passed by a room where a meeting was being held. He stopped in and shared his story. They invited him back the next day and presented him with a certificate of honor along with another medal. That day he finally walked on the beach he tried so hard to erase from his memory. While standing on the beach he realized that the bunkers were still there and not much had been cleared. He said, "All I saw were hundreds of dead bodies laying around and floating on the water." Emotions overtaking him, he added, "You should always be thankful for your life and live it to the fullest."

"I gained an understanding of what it meant and stills means to be an American."

Mr. Jones graduated in 1956 from the ROTC at Johns Hopkins University. In his 13 years of service, Mr. Jones was a member of a "Military Advisory Team" in the Me Kong Delta. He received three glorified medals: the Bronze Star, Air Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Read Jones' essay One Among Millions.

"I learned to duck my head when I saw the shells. It taught me to always watch out for myself."

Mr. Basch joked that his 3.5 years in the Navy also taught him "not to smile." He was stationed in Norfolk, VA and Casablanca, Africa. "While fighting in Africa I was in charge of 50 men. We were captured by the Germans and were held in prison for 9 months. They treated us fine but sure went running when the Americans came to get us! One of the most memorable moments was when I got to fly in the belly of a torpedo bomber!"