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Posted on 11/17/2010 6:46:16 AM PST by Jemian

Lt. Gen. Hal Moore took his sword from its sheath Tuesday evening, raised it and said, “I’m going to cut this cake like a soldier.”

The cake didn’t stand a chance.

Moore sliced swiftly through the sugary goodness to help commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Ia Drang, where outnumbered American soldiers held off the North Vietnamese on Nov. 14-16, 1965.

Several hundred visited Auburn City Hall in a tribute to Moore and veteran journalist Joe Galloway, who co-authored the book “We Were Soldiers Once … And Young.” Between slices of cake, Moore and Galloway spoke to the crowd, posed for photographs and signed autographs.

The battle was immortalized by the 2002 motion picture “We Were Soldiers,” starring Mel Gibson as Moore.

Those within the hall’s chambers were also treated to a series of telephone conference calls, played on loudspeakers, from Gibson, actor Sam Elliott, who played Sgt. Major Basil L. Plumley in the movie, and St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, a personal friend of Hal Moore. Some of the conversation delved into the personal sacrifices Moore and Galloway made. Much of it, to the delight of the onlookers, drifted toward Auburn football.

“I’ve been watching your team play football,” Elliott said. “I was a student at the University of Oregon, and I was wondering if the Ducks will be playing you guys later this year. By the way, there’s one thing I’ve noticed about Alabama, and this is something personal. I watched the Georgia game the other day, and that Auburn support group is the classiest I’ve ever seen through the way they conduct themselves at football games.”

Auburn fans inside the city hall met the statement with a raucous cheer.

“It’s another world down there,” Elliott continued. “It was pretty awe-inspiring. I wish you guys well.”

But Elliott turned his appreciation toward Moore and Galloway.

“You guys were there (Ia Drang),” he said. “You made the sacrifices.”

Galloway chimed in … “It was one hell of a fight. We’re still on the right side of the grass.”

Elliott considered the opportunity to work with Galloway and Moore “quite an honor.”

“I didn’t have a veteran in my family,” he said. “It’s been an amazing experience, and I’m forever grateful.”

Galloway then drew laughter by saying, “Well, we would have loved to have you there with us (in Vietnam).”

Elliott concluded the conversation in a deeper tone. “I worry about this country and the direction this country is heading today. We need more men with character like yourself. I appreciate everything you do and have done.”

When LaRussa answered the line, he asked the audience, and Moore, “Don’t you guys have a football team down there?”

“It’s a pleasure to say hello. What you guys went through representing our country will never be forgotten. You have my best and we all appreciate your sacrifices you made,” LaRussa said.

Moore, who grew up in Kentucky, told the baseball manager, “I’m watching every game your team plays on the radio.”

Gibson’s call was met by simple commands from the man he played in the movie.

“Tell the people in Auburn hello,” the general said.

“Hi there Auburn,” Gibson said. “Go War Eagles. So, how you been?”

Moore then invited the actor to town.

“One day when it’s a beautiful fall day down here, you’ve got to come to Auburn and watch our football team,” Moore said with a wide grin. “You can come down and stay in the same bedroom you did in your last visit.”

Gibson, who noted he might be busy filming movies in other locations of the planet next fall, did say, “I may well do that. Sounds like a good plan.

“You have my complete respect. Thanks for letting me call in.”

Galloway, who sat at a table beside Moore during the event, thanked local residents for the care they’ve shown.

“Thank you for taking such good care of my good friend Hal Moore,” he said. “It means that you care and that you are good neighbors. That’s the essence of living in a town like this. We who love him love you for that.”

Moore, whose family has Auburn roots for nearly seven decades, then addressed the crowd and assured folks this will always be home.

“I have a home in Colorado, but I don’t think I’ll go back there,” he said. “I love Auburn.”

Then, with the stern face of a general, he issued another command.

“I leave here with one message,” he said. “Beat Alabama!”

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