Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive is non-profit initiative to preserve the legacy of the World War II generation who defended our freedom and democracy and then came home to build the America we enjoy to this day. With so many World War II veterans and members of the Greatest Generation passing away at this time, it is important for a grateful nation to demonstrate our gratitude and to preserve their legacy.

This is a year-long effort to raise public awareness of the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII on August 14, 2010, the day that Japan surrendered. America immediately began the work of peace, helping to rebuild allies and former enemies alike, leading the effort to form the United Nations, and helping millions of returning veterans begin their civilian lives with the G.I. Bill and other programs.

SPIRIT OF ‘45 has three main goals:

* To raise awareness about the 65th anniversary of VJ Day by encouraging cities and communities to hold commemorative events on August 14, 2010, honoring the legacy of the WWII veterans and members of the Greatest Generation.

Typical celebrations in cities and communities across the country will include the playing of Taps, entertainment, music of the era and a Stories of Service program to videotape the memories of veterans and members of the Greatest Generation.

Plans for this event are expanding exponentially across the country. Over 200 communities are already planning their activities.

* To collect first-hand memories of those who experienced August 14, 1945 for preservation on the web and sharing with schools, libraries, museums, memorials and the public. These Stories of Service will provide a permanent reminder of a time when Americans came together as a community to face common challenges and became a truly united country.

* To call on Congress to officially designate the second Sunday in every August a national Day of Remembrance to ensure that future generations remember the courage, sacrifice, and service of the “Greatest Generation.”

The official announcement for this year-long project occurred on Monday, January 18th, 2010 (Martin Luther King Day). The event was held aboard the USS Midway in San Diego. The response has been enormous and the Spirit of 45 group is now promoting the project nationally.

The official kick-off for the Keep The Spirit of '45 Alive campaign will begin on the evening of May 28th with a rally in Washington D.C. to signal the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend.

Taps will be played at twilight in a salute to honor WWII Veterans, who saved our freedoms and democracy, and members of The Greatest Generation who built the America we enjoy to this day. Buglers from each of the 50 states will be invited to participate in the Rally and the National Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31st.

Buglers in their cities and communities all across the country will join in this synchronized salute to veterans of all wars by playing Taps at twilight in their particular time zones.

Spirit of '45 spokesman Hugh O'Brien, noted actor and head of the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership organization, will be leading the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. to kick-off a major publicity campaign focusing on August 14th celebrations all across the country.

Taps Across America will sound again all across the country as part of all Spirit of '45 programs or at the close of day on August 14th in a synchronized salute to all of our veterans, from all wars.

An important element of the focus of this project will be on ways to assure that our “latest generation” of veterans gets the same kind of “Welcome home!” as did their forefathers of the WWII generation, including education and training, employment opportunities, healthcare and other ways of reconnecting them with their community.

The Spirit of '45 effort will continue after August 14th through December, 2010, with a special focus on Veterans Day activities and other events promoting The Spirit of '45. The annual Days of Remembrance will continue in perpetuity.

The Spirit of '45 organization is an original member of the Library of Congress' Veterans Oral History Project, serves on the executive committee of the New York City Veterans Day Parade, the largest such event in the nation, and leads the National Memorial Day Parade each year.

Spirit of '45 Contact Info:
Web: http://Spiritof45.org

Read the Stories and Record Your Memories of Aug. 14th, 1945