While this was taking place George, Molly, Jesse and Carol made their way up into the clubhouse to change into their wedding outfits, as the M.C. introduced the second parade of veterans from every one of the services who were the Honored Heroes of the day. They were all decorated with medals awarded for valor in combat, ranging from the Bronze Star to the Army Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross; over half were also decorated with the Purple Heart.
As the Marine Band played, the Commanding General of the state's National Guard walked to the microphone. He himself was a hero of both the First and Second World Wars: awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in WWI and Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart in WWII. As soon as the band stopped playing, the General then delivered a stirring speech, the first of several which would meet with thunderous applause.
Then, on cue, an organist began playing the "Wedding March" on the clubhouse organ. As it blared out of the speakers throughout the racetrack, the five members of the wedding party made their way down to the grandstand.
The wedding ceremony lasted about ten minutes, and the crowd was rapt and very quiet while it was taking place. The wedding party was colorfully radiant, with the Minister (the same uncle who had married Molly and Tommy) wearing a white robe, a white and gold sash, and a woven gold belt, the bride and groom in their custom made white motorcycle suits, with the eagle on the back and trimmed in red and blue, Jesse in a very nice, pin-striped, dark-grey suit, and Carol in a well-fitting pink dress set off with a veiled, coral-colored hat. When the crowd heard Molly say, "I do," they broke out in a raucous applause, which was repeated when the Minister introduced the newly-weds to the audience.
The Minister returned to the clubhouse to shed his robes, while the other four members of the wedding party made their way to their seats to re-join Aunt Dolores and enjoyed their box lunch. They remained in their wedding raiment as they watched the remaining races and closing ceremonies, so that they would be dressed for the reception.
The four afternoon races were about as exciting as the morning ones. In all of them the leads changed hands frequently, and the finishes were very close. In fact, in two of them the top three finishers were bunched: with less than a motorcycle length between first and third place. A few minutes after the 8th race, the grandstand was again wheeled out and put in place. The M.C. then stepped to the mike and requested that all veterans at the track should leave their seats, and assemble behind the Marine Corps band down the track to the left of the grandstand. Next, he introduced the last two speakers of the day: a Lieutenant Colonel Navy Nurse Corps veteran and, the celebrity attraction of the day - the movie star, Colonel Jimmy Stewart, a decorated bomber pilot in the European Theater of WWII.
The Lieutenant Colonel spoke simply and to great effect.
‘With so many veterans here, I’m sure they would all join me in recognizing the vital contributions made by women in the services and back here at home during the war. Nurses, mechanics, cooks, auxiliary staff – the war could not have been won without them. Without the women working in defense plants, building the planes, tanks, trucks, jeeps, and other vital war materials, the war could have been lost. They are the unsung heroines of the war, and I commend them all.’
Molly wiped away another tear. This really had to be the most unusual wedding day, but somehow it seemed to sum up what everyone had gone through, and why they had fought so hard for this freedom.
Colonel James Stewart then stepped to the mike, to deafening shouts and clapping.
‘I can’t really add much to what the Lieutenant Colonel has already said.’ His voice, so familiar to everyone, was close to breaking as he viewed the masses of veterans before him. ‘It’s simply an honor to be here, and to have fought at your side. God bless us all.’