Service members from Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station joined residents at the Homestead Village retirement community in Pensacola, Fla., to celebrate Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Eddy Mejias, Center for Information Dominance (CID) Unit Corry Station command senior enlisted leader, addressed the home's veterans during a breakfast gathering.

"Your generation of Americans secured our freedom and defended the Constitution of the United States of America against many, many enemies, both foreign and domestic," said Mejias. "It was your generation that gave us victory through a world war, several regional conflicts, and of course the Cold War."

Veterans in the community represent service during each war going back to World War II, and many residents are also spouses of veterans.

Sailors from CID Unit Corry Station, along with Marine, Army, and Air Force representatives who support the mission of training the Navy's Information Dominance Corps and joint service professionals at Corry Station, spent time talking with the veterans and sharing stories of their service, such as sleeping in hammocks and how a $5 pay chit was one Sailor's first earnings.

"Today was a great day for the heroes of Homestead Village," said Navy retiree David Acuff, Homestead Village's general manager. "The presence of active-duty service men and women from every branch of service truly honored our veterans and made the day a special day."

Each veteran received a certificate acknowledging their service as part of the ceremony. The event was not only an opportunity to show gratitude to the residents who are veterans, but also reassured them that their past efforts continue today.

"Now a new generation of Americans has risen up to answer the call to defend freedom. We are here with you today," Mejias told the veterans. "With great confidence I tell you, we will continue to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies. Rest easy in your golden years. We have the watch."

The commemoration is an annual event for Homestead Village, but this year was the first to include an expanded observance of speeches, presentations and patriotic singing.

"We thank the men and women who are now carrying on the legacy of our veterans and defending the freedoms that they so valiantly fought for and the protection they granted us," said Acuff. "It is a great partnership to have with our veterans and the active-duty service members at the Center for Information Dominance Unit Corry Station."

CID Unit Corry Station delivers Navy and joint forces training in information operations, information warfare, information technology and cryptology, for approximately 12,000 service members each year. With a staff of 300 military and civilian instructors, CID Unit Corry Station oversees the development and administration of 39 courses of instruction.

For more information on CID Unit Corry Station, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ceninfodom.

For more news from Center for Information Dominance, visit www.navy.mil/.