More than 450 veterans gathered at the Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville on Monday to mark the 70th anniversary of defeating Japan in WWII. Attendees of this Victory Day celebration were joined by friends and family.

Sixteen million Americans served in WWII, but only 800,000 are still alive today. Gathering so many WWII vets in one place is a true rarity, but what better occasion to unite veterans than Victory Day? The event provided all the pomp and circumstance the veterans of such a world-changing war deserved, including six keynote speakers, live music and a jet flyover salute by F-16 “Red Tails.” The event was attended by so many veterans and community members that it was standing room only.

Lt. Gen. Richard Mills, Commander of the Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, thanked WWII veterans for their sacrifices and accomplishments in a keynote address.

“A country that started out the war completely unprepared to go and yet in five short years achieved victories over two of the most powerful military powers ever seen,” Mills said. “It was  huge accomplishment and it was done by the individual efforts of men and women, many of whom sit here today.”