The annual Veterans Day ceremonies were held at the Howard Gardner American Legion Post No. 281 yesterday.
The featured speaker was World War II Veteran Morris Levine.
He is known throughout Tyrone as a longtime businessman, but yesterday he focused on a three-and-a-half-year period of his life which was spent serving the country during World War II.
He recalled how he and many other Tyroners received notice in the mail that they were going into the Armed Forces. Levine was inducted on Feb. 3, 1942.
Levine reminisced about his war days, including events during the early part of his service. He explained that due to the need for troops, basic training was shortened by several weeks.
Levine mentioned before going overseas, he had the opportunity to see and meet Tyrone’s most famous entertainer, Fred Waring, during a break in New York City.
After training and serving stateside, Levine headed overseas in December of 1943. The troops loaded onto the USS Erickson and sister ship, the USS Grisholm.
Levine recalled seeing the Statue of Liberty as the troops left New York Harbor.
“My thoughts were will we come back to see the same and what condition will we find her,” said Levine.
As part of his tour of duty, he participated in D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Afterwards, Levine was reclassified and his status was changed to a “non-combat” GI Levine was placed in a special services status. He was stationed in France and involved with KP and then given the assignment of starting a PX. Levine also was involved in entertainment including setting up an outdoor stage. Levine recalled entertainers Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire were with the USO group that performed.
At one point, Levine was put in charge of Special Services and arranged numerous dances and entertainment. The troops were housed in high school buildings. Late in 1944, they were moved out as the buildings were converted to hospitals to deal with casualties from the Battle of the Bulge.
Levine recalled how he was stationed at the Citie Universataire and he was in charge of Special Services for 5,000 troops. His office was responsible for entertainment and many activities including a movie theater, auditorium, dance hall, art room, music room, four bowling alleys, gym, swimming pool as well as outdoor tennis courts and a softball and soccer field.
Levine had said in a previous article for The Daily Herald, that entertainers such as Mickey Rooney and Bobby Breen also appeared. His office also arranged other activities for the troops in other parts of Paris. Yesterday, Levine recalled his days often started at 8 a.m. and lasted until 10 p.m.
Levine’s service days started to wind down when received word his mother had suffered a stroke. He decided he wanted to be discharged after his commanding officer asked if he wanted to go home. Levine reported back to the United States and was discharged on Oct. 5, 1945.
Levine received several medals for his service including a Bronze Star, a French Normandy Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, an ETO Ribbon with three campaigns, a Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Medal and a Commendation from the Commander of Citie Universataire.
The ceremonies yesterday at the Legion were a joint observation of the Anderson Denny Post No. 4559, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Legion.
Members from both organizations participated in the events which included the advancement of colors, placing of wreaths, the POW/MIA table, the roll call of the deceased, the toller, the placing of poppies, a firing squad and the playing of taps.
The Tyrone Area High School Pops Extension also performed at the ceremonies.
