Warren Russell Lane Sr., of McDonough, served on a B-25 bomber in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He said he was pleasantly surprised to learn that people would gather 75 years later in Henry County to honor his military service.

  “They’re doing a mighty good job,” said Lane, 93. “I didn’t know this would ever come to pass.”

  On September 11, American Legion Post No. 516 in McDonough hosted a Patriot Day celebration honoring veterans from World War II. An attitude of respect and pride permeated the air as government, business and community leaders came together to relive military history through the eyes of America’s Greatest Generation.

  American Legion Cmdr. Alton Head was among those who oversaw the evening’s festivities. He said his organization wanted to honor the service and sacrifices of soldiers, sailors, pilots and other veterans of the war before it was too late.

  “We wanted to put on an event because we realize our World War II veterans are getting up in age,” said Cmdr. Head. “So, we wanted to give them something while they’re still living that they can enjoy. We wanted to give them their just due, from one veteran to another.”

  Cmdr. Head’s father-in-law, Leroy Head Sr., 93, of Jackson was among the honored veterans. He served in the military police during the war, and said a significant portion of his service centered on cleaning up after it ended.

  “I stayed there 18 months,” the elder Head said. “So many of them got killed, and we had to pull them out. After I got out of the Army, I went into civil service at the Atlanta Army Depot. I stayed there ‘til they closed the gates.”

  Hillard Pouncy, 97, of Austell served as a bombardier in the Tuskegee Airmen and made the trip to McDonough to break bread with his fellow veterans. Pouncy said his fellow servicemen “did a whole lot for human rights” during a pivotal time in the nation’s history.

  “The Tuskegee Airmen showed the world that we could carry out military duties, come home and try to be good citizens,” said Pouncey.

  Thomas Bristow Sr., 92, of Conyers was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. He relished the opportunity, recently, to gather with his fellow military veterans and reflect on their service.

  “The sacrifices that we made during the Second World War and the Korean War, to be recognized as a citizen of the United States, and also to represent our country in whatever country we were going to fight against – it’s a great honor to be recognized,” said Bristow. “The privileges that we have now – a lot of blood was shed, a lot of lives were lost so we could have this privilege.”