year-old tried to sign up for duty. at first they rejected. when he returned with silver dollars in his pockets to add weight. first class seaman remembers the morning of june 6th, 1944. >> got up and said, well, -- we're going to invade france this morning. >> in the matter of hours, he will be guiding a landing. >> they just shot in the tower. >> with death all around him, the young teen piloted his craft to and from the beach three times into the very jaws

of the nazi gunfire. he says he felt no fear. >> we got scared -- when it started in. we were so highly trained. you done everything automatically. >> for decades each night his dreams could turn to nightmares of the horrors of war. >> while his memories remain vivid. he knows the passing of time has taken most of his comrades. >> of course, -- there was 126 of us. >> of those 126 seaman, he now makes his own in the county,

was the sole survivor. >> i could remember later in the day, looking around after all the stuff that's coming in, ship, ship loads of stuff. and all the ships out there. i thought -- only america could do something like this. they had so many ships out there that looked like they sped out of the sky, you know. >> he says called it ff. once the allies recaptured france, he looked so young, keepers refused to serve him along with the troops offering him candy bars instead. president obama marks the veteran's day overseas while the vice president salutes veterans on american soil.

here's abc toman bradley. president obama marked the veteran's day by paying tribute to those who fought in the korean war 60 years ago. >> we're honored by your presence. we're grateful for your service. >> mr. obama stressed the importance of caring for all veterans. >> honoring those who serve is about more than the words we say on veteran's day. >> in every part of the country showed up for ceremonies and parades to receive their due. >> getting in the role, not many of us could make it anymore. we do the best we can. >> in rarlington national cemetery, vice president biden noted, the wars of iran and afghanistan have forced the combat from any other time in history. >> 100% of the nation can and must do something to acknowledge what they have done

for us and continue this very moment. >> there's no greater example of continuing sacrifice than captain scott smiley. smiley was injured in a suicide bomber in iraq. he lost his sight but not his will to serve. smiley is the first blind active duty officer. >> even my wife, i definitely would not be here today. >> it's people like captain smiley, vice president biden calls the very best of the nation. the strength shown by u.s. troops, was not be matched by the country's support. well, happy veteran's day. you definitely deserve it. you deserve a stellar day. lots of sunshine in the forecast. we will see more as we go into time as well. for today, the highs came to 61 degrees into baltimore. yes, that was above average. 63 in dc. culpepper came to 64.

win chester came at 51. and 55 in salisbury. check out weighs going to be happening as we go to time. you see the satellite, high pressure is over on top of us and high pressure will linger for a while. you could see some cloud, the system that's basically pushing away from the new england coast. with that, you'll definitely pretty good as we get to the evening. we will drop down to the 50s. it will be nice and clear and relatively mild. we will sphik -- stick around in the seven-day forecast. we have sunshine as well. >> coming up, we will check in with our own veterans, ebber hart, serving applebees. harper town, where there's going to be big changes for families, the system looks for ways to decrease overcrowding in the elementary schools. district says some schools were in 130% capacity. they say temporary trainers like those in emmerton

elementary is picking up the slack for now. some students are going into the system. and the district says it has to do something now. >> to get all of our schools at or below 100% capacity. we have two schools that are at 130%. we need to get them below that. we have a new school opening in the fall. we had to build an attendance area. the two schools we were talking about, we have to provide relief for them. we have many portables. >> they also said there's a series of public meetings starting next month. what they are proposing, the public input is closer. >> and what the shift's

passenger si? >> plus, reconstruction after breast can cancer surgeries. new study tries to help women -- local leaders says it's a special celebration. ,

the most powerful half ton crew in america has a powertrain backed for 100,000 miles. that's forty thousand more than ford.

chevy silverado. the most dependable, longest-lasting full- size pickup on the road. use your all-star edition discount for... a total value of six thousand dollars on a 2011 silverado. see your local chevrolet dealer.

tonight, we're honoring a special veteran you may recognize this man right here. that's wyatt ebber hart when he was in the coast guard. he's actually served his tour of duty and now he's serving again. he's in east point, talking to some of the nation's bravest

men and women. happy veteran's day, wyatt. is charlie there with you? >> reporter: i just want to say, happy veteran's day as well, kelly. it's great sitting here in applebee's. we're at east point mall. applebee's across maryland, we welcoming veterans for a free meal, thanking for the service for our country and the state of maryland. we're proud to be here tonight. we're also going to be a little celebrity serving. i want to bring in my good friend charlie. while you're in here, newest member of the 2 news team, tell us a little bit about it. >> we're going to be joining justin, jamie, megan in the morning show. we'll be coming there with a little q&a with her. and it's wall to wall people. this is a nationwide program that's put on by applebees and

the restaurants out there. thank you for your service as we were introing you this evening. your view and the service as a member of the coast guard. we pulled it off facebook. thanks for your service and thanks for the brave men and women for everything they've done. >> charlie, these are some hungry vets out here. you'll be able to get the steaks served up, as they say. >> the sheeives are rolled -- sleeves us are rolled up tonight. the ties will be off. i know you have some duties. i'll be serving the vet. and thanking them for their service. i want to thank everyone again. i think we will hand off the tray at some point,. >> and i have to do my duty as well. i have to do weather first. a beautiful day. >> abc 2 news in baltimore. >> all right. see you working behind the air, too. >> get a little bit of weather

under way shall we? we want to talk a little bit about the fantastic weather we had for the veteran's day across the entire state of maryland. this is as good as you are going to get in this part of november. harbor cam showing a beautiful shot. 55 degrees right now. winds northeast at 6. as we look at maryland's most powerful radar, the good news is this. crystal clear conditions across the state. five sweeps in action, finding nothing. we're talking bone dry conditions and that will hold up. winds will be light. that's not a concern at all. light breeze, not a big deal. temperaturewise, we're looking at upper to mid-50s across the state. it's going to be a pleasant evening, as more and more vets take advantage of applebee's or wherever they are going to tonight. 3-4 degrees above average. the neighborhood forecast as we

go through the weekend. veterans coming on a thursday this year. as we look ahead to friday and to the rest of the week, we're looking at, you know, great looking weather, sunny skies and low 60s. i want to show you a look at the overall weather trend here. anything coming out this weekend? the answer no. >> we're crystal clear. there's not anything out there. we look for the good weather to hold the next couple of days. nice looking weather pattern as high pressure stays under control. >> across baltimore four the vets. as we look at tomorrow, quickly going through the couple of pages, you see the numbers are going to be nice, again, tomorrow. we're talking 63 degrees. lots of sunshine. tomorrow night, a clear, cool, friday night as we enjoy the rest of the veteran's day weekend, down to the mid-30s. let's check out the seven-day forecast looking ahead. a nice looking weekend.

this is gorgeous by november standards. lots of sunshine and great weather for the coming days. 'big shift next week. rain comes in and we'll cool it off next week. looking live in applebees, hungry vets ducking the cameras trying to get where they need to be. it is a great scene. the newest member of the team is serving it up. you look like you've done it before. >> they've already put me back to work. >> i'm glad you are picking up my slack. exact plea, nothing like a few cheese whiz and maybe a nice bourbon street to hit the spot. that's the scene in applebee's. >> great job out there. the food looks good, too. >> in celebration of veteran's day. this picture was sent to us by

mccarroll. picture of the father, in world war ii, while he was stationed in east france from 1942 to 45. he was 22-year-old. he looks so young. the father was an army private in the rainbow division of the army cannon company. today, the nation paused to say thank you to the military men and women who served our country. under veteran, downtown baltimore to honor the service and sacrifice of the veterans. abc 2 news shirley johnson was there. veterans of all branches of the armed forces marched through the streets of downtown baltimore on this vet veteran's day. stephanie wallens led the way paying tribute to those who served our country. >> to think about how much our veterans have done throughout our history. >> mayor, city employees,

elected officials, rotc groups, fire and police gathered at the memorial plaza. it focused on the 60th anniversary of the korean war and the 20th anniversary of the gulf war. many veterans were humbled by the praise. >> people, not heroes, had a job to do. heroes are not here anymore. >> retired general frank junior, of the marine corp was the keynote speaker. he was the first african- american marine core general. he also gave this message. >> remember those who served, especially those who are serving now. america is involved in two wars right now. it's sort of -- oh, golly, gee weez. >> while veterans received

recognition for serving. >> and in the young generation, another young generation. you won't hear, he won't go, he won't fight. he will continue to say. i will continue toment. >> ology this day, we say thank you for the unsung heroes that have been there. cherie johnson, abc 2 news. women who have had breast cancer surgery have the option of having breast reconstruction. that usually includes implants. a study helps women decide what kind of implant is best for them. here's abc kim johnson. women who had mastectomies are faced with the decision to follow-up with reconstructive surgery. do they want implants filled with silicon, saline which is salt water?

new study, 6767 women who had reconstructive women, were surveyed. 136 had silicon, other saline. those with silicon had greater satisfaction than those with saline implants. breast implants have been controversial. the effectiveness has been called into question. although the food and drug administration approves their use. it will help post mastectomy patients decide. with this medical minute, i'm dr. timothy johnson. a lesson in values and independence. coming up, the take five, on a visit to the schools, independent jewish high schools and returning clothes could sometimes be a big has el, especially if clerks try to crack down on fraud. we have some tips on how to make smoother returns.

tonight, we're continuing to serve our veterans. this is from calm. pictured late is the 1998. my father served as a machine gun, 70th infantry in the european theater in world war ii. he was wounded in action, purple heart and bronze star for valor. he was always proud of infant troop badge. we are land of the free because of the brave.

become a cross leader who inspire us daily. it's the independent school that some parents and students are looking for to receive a higher education. in tonight's take five, paul gaffey takes us to an independent school that starts with a mission and ends with a question. we all walk down hallways similar to this, it's inside where the magic happens. >> where do we reach our own synagogue? what purpose does that serve? >> it facilitates learning. >> the school leaders at the shena high school. says it's difficult to teach. >> i being in a, a small

school, i get to know everybody in a personal level. >> it brings five or six students together. bobby prince, head of the school says with the small independent jewish high school, a deep value system and leadership evolves with students on a daily basis. >> they can walk into any unstewings, any jewish institutions, synagogue, museum. >> and that's what education center says it could offer. and general and judyic studies are the focus. >> learn hebrew as a language hebrew as a way to delve into u.s. history. >> and a classroom environment that school leaders say gives an independent jewish high school a solid graduation success rate. >> we have truly a strong

support, with the teachers, students, that if you need anything, they are there for you. >> in baltimore, paul gaffey, abc 2 news. >> there's a scholarship, where 80% of the tuition could be covered. tuition runs about 70,000 a year. >> it's a nightmare for passengers as the carnival cruise ships docks adrift at sea. >> take a look at the picture. flight officer robert taylor, pilot with a long, long rangers. and 377 squadron, 13th air force world war ii. he's now 87-year-old. veterans are getting free milk today and wyatt ebberheart,

charlie is serving up those meals. we'll check with them

thousands of passengers from the carnival splendor is finally back on land. it had to be towed after it lost power at sea and was stranded. for four days, passengers didn't have any air conditioning, hot water or cell phone service. >> like me, i once was lost but now was found. san diego, not the sea. it was not quite the ss minow but it was not the luxury either. >> ran down the hall. won't nosh. are you kidding. you won't be running in their