97-year-old WWII veteran’s emotional Memorial Day speech goes viral
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World War II veteran David Yoho’s clear and emotional message to younger generations to remember the sacrifices of those who served went viral on social media over Memorial Day weekend.
“Tell them about the veterans and tell them that we gave up our yesterdays for your tomorrows,” Yoho, who will turn 98 in August, said in the rain on Saturday. National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
“Well then, if they say to you, who did you hear say these words?” He continued his exaggerated words by giving the military salute while holding back tears as his almost 100-year-old voice cracked in the rain.
“Tell them that a 98-year-old World War II veteran is a 16-year-old in his heart, mind and body.”
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97-year-old World War II veteran David Yoho gave a tribute speech that went viral on social media, with a screenshot of his emotional speech in the rain on Saturday. (Friends of the National World War II Memorial)
The emotional salute crowned the former Merchant Marine veteran’s thoughts about the more than 16 million Americans who served in uniform after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the hundreds of thousands of people who never returned home.
Yoho, who was just 16 when he entered the service, recalled that the army lowered draft ages during the war because the country needed manpower.
“When you turn 16, you become a prankster on the streets, and that ends the day you enter the military,” he said, tapping the podium with empathy. “And our commitment to what has been done is clear.”
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World War II veteran David Yoho speaks during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Over Japan Day at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, on September 2, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“Your dedication, even you on the balconies,” he continued, motioning through the raindrops to those attending the Memorial Day weekend speech, “your commitment to us is evident, and we thank you as we kneel in obedience to our God and creator.“
Yoho spoke National World War II Memorial In Washington, D.C., at the east end of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, commemorating the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces and the 400,000 who died.
“Tell your friends about this place,” Yoho said. “Tell your friend that you stood in the rain today and listened to us. Tell your friends about your dedication and then tell them about us.“
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Former Merchant Marine David Yoho speaks during the medal ceremony for World War II Merchant Marines on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, May 18, 2022. (Tom Brenner/Reuters)
Yoho also honored the U.S. Merchant Marines, saying 250,000 men were drafted during the war and that the group suffered devastating losses while transporting its troops and supplies into dangerous waters. He pointed to the Murmansk Run, a deadly Arctic convoy route used to resupply Allied forces, as an example of the sacrifices made by Americans of “every race” and “every faith.”
“So who are we here today? We are here to ring the bell, we are here to ring the bell for those we honor at rest,” Yoho said. “Ring the bell for each military unit.“
Yoho provided viewers with unique context 84 years after Pearl Harbor.
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“I add my thanks for being here today,” he said. “We are the last of the breed you sponsor to represent you and your families.
“On December 7, 1941, the empire of Japan struck Pearl Harbor and started what we call our war!
“We were a country of 130 million people and we put on uniform for 16 million 200 thousand of them, but 440 thousand of them did not return home.
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“And when you see a star representing 100 men, think about how each of these people is connected to a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister. They are our family. We stand on this hollow ground. And thank you for seeing fit to be with us today, despite the bad weather.”“
Yoho recalled that the Merchant Marines had “the highest death rate” among the World War II armed forces.
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“We lost 733 ships and that had the highest death toll of any group serving in the war, but God is great and God is good and he kept this old sucker alive,” Yoho said. “I will be 98 years old in six weeks and this would not exist without you, I accept no apology for the time I spent telling you.”
“I have a deep love for everything here and what they represent,” he said.
