HAMPTON, Va. — It was truly a special night as many gathered to celebrate veterans and to take part in the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame Gala. Tonight's gala was the fifth annual induction ceremony for the U.S Veterans Hall of Fame Project.
The ceremony was the celebration of eight veterans for their service and accomplishments in the military. Their names were etched in history, joining the permanent archives of the United States Veterans Hall of Fame.
Chaplain & Founder of the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame, Curtis Drafton, thinks it is very important to honor these veterans.
"It's important because often times you'll get these great stories of people who served our country very very well, but the stories don't make it to the public. But the public needs to know these stories, so we created this project and annual event to educate the public and to honor these men and women," said Drafton.
Veterans honored are men and women like Lt. Cpl. Amy McGrath, who was the first woman in the Marine Corps to fly a F-18 aircraft in a combat mission.
"It's extremely humbling just to be up there with all those amazing Americans. This country gave me a tremendous opportunity to serve and I got lucky. I was something I always wanted to do," said McGrath.
Shelly Seamone, who accepted the honor on behalf of her late son Maj. Evan Seamone, is thankful that her son's bravery will not be forgotten.
"We're always hearing about the bad guys on the news and what they're doing, but we don't hear about what the good guys are doing. I'm so honored that my son could be apart of this," said Seamone.
Those honored were:
- Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
- Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr.
- Brig. Gen. Anna Mae Hays
- Brig. Gen. Albert K.B. Lyman
- Lt. Col. Charity E. Adams
- Lt. Col. Amy McGrath
- Maj. Evan R. Seamone
- Cpl. Robert C. Andry