When the German Army blitzkrieged Poland and Japanese Imperial forces bombed Pearl Harbor, it catapulted the world and the United States into World War II. Answering that call in the U.S. were volunteers from all across the nation. They went to local recruiting centers, raised their hands and agreed to fight back the evil that was attempting to conquer the world. Some came from cities, but most arrived from farms and small towns—all motivated to serve their country and keep it safe and free.

Nick Reid from Yardley, Pa., was at a Brooklyn Dodgers game when Admiral Yamamoto issued to his forces the coded phrase “Climb Mount Nitaka,” which meant to attack Pearl Harbor, forcing the U.S. into war. When Nick left the game, he saw newspapers announcing the attack and the devastating losses. President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress for the war authorization against Japan and Nazi Germany.

Reid promptly went to his local recruiter and enlisted in the new Army-Air Corps. Reid said, “I figured flying was better than sleeping in a foxhole.” Four years and 25 bombing runs later, Nick was in Europe when the Nazi surrender came and the war moved toward its end.

World War II put America’s best against some of the world’s worst. Americans like Reid, now 93, answered that call and brought the power of the Greatest Generation together to fight against the Axis of evil.

We all owe a debt of gratitude for that generation and the people like Reid, who answered the call when our nation and the world needed them the most. Please watch this video for Reid’s story—one of bravery, service and valor at a time when the world was on the brink of losing its most precious asset: its freedom.