HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Three veterans who served overseas during World War II flew out of Huntsville International Airport on Thursday. They will soon be arriving in Normandy to take part in the 80th anniversary commemoration of D-Day.
Several men who served in the U.S. military around the world in the 1940s were united by an organization called Honoring Military Veterans.
“It's great to be a part of something like this and meet new people in the community, especially seeing that we're doing this for veterans,” said Elaine Oakes with Honoring Veteran Legacies. “I think it's such an important part of our community, especially seeing those who are currently serving come together to support the older generation.”
People gathered to see three World War II veterans from North Alabama, Howard Pollin, Otis Brannon and Arthur Hallett, off to Normandy.
“I thank you all for being here and I congratulate you all for being here,” Brannon said. “It shows that we are still Americans.”
Brannon served in the Pacific, including at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Hiroshima.
“I'm probably the only person who's ever actually seen an atomic bomb go off,” Brannon said.
He served as an amphibious engineer with the 532nd Special Brigade until the end of 1946.
“I mostly did maintenance on Higgins boats,” Brannon said. “We had three different types of boats: Higgins boats, crash boats and LCMs.”
Howard Pollin was a trained meteorologist who, on D-Day, briefed P-51 fighter pilots about the weather they would encounter over Normandy.
Arthur Hallett was posted to Mannheim for thirteen months.
“Things have changed so I love going back and seeing the places I've travelled to before,” Hallett said. “I did a lot of work when I was in Germany and I have to say I've forgotten some of it, but when I was given a job I tried to do it well.”
His service did not end with the war.
“I went back to Alabama A&M University,” Hallett said, “and enlisted in the Army Reserves. I didn't know the Korean War was going to happen.”
Hallett said it was important for everyone to respect the sacrifices made by those who served in the military.
“I hope that Americans today love our democracy and remember those who lost their lives for it,” Hallett said.
June 6th marks the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, which involved more than 150,000 soldiers.
