DAPHNE — Veteran Charles Gay doesn’t like to talk about World War II or the many bombing missions that he flew.

But he made an exception Sunday, when he spoke at the Old Methodist Church Museum before a crowd of about 100 people.

Although he ultimately came home, many service members weren’t so lucky in battle, Gay said.

And remembering them is an important of Memorial Day, he said.

“This is a chance to remember, to pay homage to those guys, the ones who gave their lives to give us the kind of life that we’re enjoying today,” Gay said during the outside service.

Living through the war wasn’t easy, said Gay, as he recalled his “nerves being tight as guitar strings” after returning from a bombing run.

One time, after arriving later than expected, Gay said he saw his name listed as missing in action. “Let me tell you, that really does something to you when you see the letters MIA beside your name,” he said.

Others knew from the beginning that their missions were doomed, Gay said. “They knew when they left that they wouldn’t be coming back. Now that is courage,” he said. “Those are the kind of people that this holiday is for.”

Gay received a standing ovation after his speech, as well as receiving applause several times during it.

Gay, a long-time Daphne resident, joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 while he was in college. The next year he was called into active service and began pilot training.

In 1944, he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant with the 8th Air Force and entered B-17 flight training. He is currently active with the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the 305th Bomb Group and the American Legion.

During the ceremony, Mayor Fred Small recognized both active military and retired veterans who were in audience. “This is what it’s all about, these kind of patriotic men and women, who want to serve their country,” Small said. “And that’s especially true with what’s going on in the world today. We really need to be very thankful that they are willing to do all that they do,” he said.

Before ending the service, Small also read the names of local men who died in war. A plaque outside the museum lists the names of the deceased service men.

Deceased WWI veterans include: Daniel M. Grimes (Army), Ray E. Lewis (Army), Daniel E. Nelson (Air Force), Raymond Jones (Army) and John Gillis Robinson (Army).

Daphne men who died in WWII include: William H. Dryer (Navy), Fred Johnson (Army), J. Marvin Rucker (Army), William M. Lindsey (Naval Air Force), Howard Crandall (Army), William McInnis (Marines) and Hanniton Watts (Army).

James J. Trione (Army) is the lone Korean casualty.

Deceased Vietnam veterans include: Edward G. McAdams (Army), John Wayne Hudgens (Army), Jimmie P. Black (Army) and James D. Schooley (Army).

Two local men have been killed in Iraq, Paul J. Bueche (Army) and Christopher Taylor (Army).