Helicopter pilot Ron Young said it was the exploits and trialsfaced by veterans of past wars that inspired and helped him surviveafter being shot down and captured in Operation Free Iraq.

Hundreds attended the Celebrate America rally at the MississippiColiseum Sunday where Young and Oliver North were the keynotespeakers.

Young recounted his 22-day ordeal in which the Apache pilot wasshot down, captured, and held by the Iraqis, and praised veteranswith providing him with the motivation to survive.

At one point, he said, he and his co-pilot, David Williams, wererunning through an irrigation ditch for concealment while eludingIraqi soldiers hunting them. Every movement was painful and theycould hear the soldiers closing in on them.

“I remember thinking to myself that the Vietnam veterans wouldlove this,” he said. “It kept me going.”

Young also paid homage to the three Medal of Honor winners fromMississippi and former prisoners of war who attended the event.

“I think there’s two things we all learn,” he said. “A greaterlove for life and family and an undying faith in God.”

Young also encouraged the audience to support the troops whoremain overseas in several different combat theaters, includingIraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia.

“No matter what, support our troops,” he said. “Do not letpublic opinion about our troops go down.”

It was a common thread that tied all of the speechestogether.

“My hope is that my colleagues in the mainstream media won’tsnatch defeat from the jaws of victory,” North said about the warin Iraq.

North, a former decorated Marine lieutenant colonel turnedsyndicated radio show host and Fox News analyst, said he was spenta lot of time in Iraq in past months and he was concerned about themedia’s treatment of the war.

The national media, he said, is emphasizing the negative aspectsof the war, such as American deaths, but not promoting the goodbeing done.

He also said Americans need not be concerned about the morale ofthe troops.

“I’ve got the best job in broadcasting,” he said. “All I do ishang around with heroes.”

Governor Ronnie Musgrove’s speech had more of a local hook. Hesaid Mississippians need to remember and honor the soldiers fromthis state who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. He recited alist of Mississippi’s lost soldiers.

“To the parents and relatives, you must know our prayers andthoughts will always be with you,” he said.

The governor also recognized on stage three mothers of soldierslost in the war, presenting them with flowers and condolences whilecalling on the audience to show them their support. The audienceresponded with a standing ovation and flag waving.

Musgrove also presented Medal of Honor recipients Van T.Barfoot, Ed W. Freeman, and Jacklyn Harold Lucas with theMississippi Medal of Honor.

Former U.S. and Mississippi Congressman “Sonny” Montgomery wasalso honored by the governor for his dedication to the men andwomen of the armed forces during his lengthy term in office.

Musgrove said Montgomery earned his nickname as “Mr.Veteran.”

Mississippi has always answered the call for troops, Musgrovesaid, and he was proud of the work done by the soldiers who havereturned and those who are still deployed.

“This has been a trying year for the men and women in ourmilitary,” and Musgrove announced that more Mississippi troops havebeen mobilized for the war efforts in Iraq. They will be leaving inthe next few weeks.

“We need to remember them too,” he said.

Governor-elect Haley Barbour was also in attendance in theaudience with his wife Marsha, and Musgrove graciously asked him tostand and be recognized.