Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., and hundreds of World War II veterans gathered at the National World War II Memorial on Thursday to celebrate the HBO miniseries “The Pacific” and those who served in the Pacific Theater.
Rita Wilson and Kate Capshaw, along with “Pacific” stars James Badge Dale and Joe Mazzello, joined the tribute, which began with a procession of veterans, bagpipes and a presentation of the colors.
Hanks was seen pointing and mouthing “you, and you, and you” to the veterans when they were mentioned in HBO Co-President Richard Plepler’s speech. Spielberg and Hanks both delivered scripted but candid speeches.
“With each passing generation, more and more people are forgetting about World War II and all of the milestones of the 20th century,” Spielberg said. “This is why I made ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ this is why Tom Hanks and I made ‘Band of Brothers’ and ‘The Pacific.’ We did it because all of you are the greatest stories ever told.”
Hanks’ speech started off the cuff with amusing yet irreverent thank-yous but continued with conviction.
“Thank you, thank you, simple dignitaries, Sen. Dole, hot shot from the Defense Department, good enough, close enough, HBO bigwigs, and you, the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the World War II generation,” he said.
